Right to Information Right to Information

Right to Information

Right to Information Act 2005 mandates timely response to requests of citizens of India for information held by the Government:


Under the Right to Information Act 2005, citizens of India may send applications seeking information of public interest relevant to Embassy of India, Thimphu to the following officers:

Appellate Authority

Shri Niteen S Yeola

Deputy Chief of Missions

Embassy of India, Thimphu

Tel: +975-2-322251
Fax: +975-2-323195
email:dcm[dot]thimphu[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in

Central Public Information Officer

Ms. Smriti Mishra

Second Secretary

Embassy of India, Thimphu

Tel: +975-2-323227
Fax: +975-2-323195
email:pol[dot]thimphu[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in

List of Earlier CPIO and FAAs from 01.01.2015

Appellate Authority

CPIO

1. Ms. Ann Haokip, First Secretary (Commercial Representative & HOC) appointed in January 2021

2. Shri R. Gaurav Shresth, Deputy Chief of Mission appointed in June 2019

3. Ms. Esha Srivastava, Deputy Chief of Mission in January 2017

4. Shri Biswadip Dey, Deputy Chief of Mission, appointed in January 2015.

1. Ms. Megha Arora, Second Secretary (Political) appointed in July 2023

2. Shri Ashish Kolhe, Second Secretary (HOC & ITEC) appointed in February 2023

3. Ms. Megha Arora, Second Secretary (Political) appointed in January 2021

4. Shri Sameer Akolkar, Second Secretary (Pol & Info) appointed in March 2018.

5. Ms. Neetu M. Bhagotia, First Secretary ( Pol & Info)/HOC appointed in January 2017

6. Smt. Nina Tshering La, Counsellor (Eco & Com) appointed in January 2015.

 

Please also note that:

(i) Under the RTI Act, information can be sought only by Indian citizens. For this, copy of applicant’s passport as proof of Indian citizenship has to be provided by eligible applicants. More information is available at https://rtionline.gov.in bullet

(ii) Postal address of applicant needs to be provided.

(iii) Application seeking information under the Act has to follow prescribed procedure in the Act, including payment of prescribed fee. Please bring a Demand Draft/Cheque of Rs. 10 made in favour of Controller of Accounts, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi along with each application (Indian Citizens below the poverty line are exempted from payment of fee).

It may also be pointed out that as per section 6(10) (a) of the RTI Act, 2005, a person who desires to obtain information under the Act is required to submit the application to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the “concerned public authority”. Applicants are therefore, advised to send their requests under the RTI Act to the Consulate General of India, Phuentsholing only when the subject matter can reasonably be presumed to pertain to the Consulate. Where the information required obviously does not pertain to the Consulate General of India, Phuentsholing, the application may be addressed to the concerned PIO directly.

(iv) The Government of India (Department of Posts) have launched a service called e-IPO (Electronic Indian Postal Order) to enable Indian Citizens residing in India and abroad to purchase an Indian Postal Order electronically by paying fee on-line through e-Post Office Portal i.e. http://www.epostoffice.gov.in bullet This facility has been provided for Indian Citizens residing in India and abroad to enable them to purchase a Postal Order electronically to seek information under the RTI Act, 2005. The detailed instructions for using the e-IPO service for payment of RTI fee on-line are available at https://www.epostoffice.gov.in bullet (under the head Circulars). The facility of e-IPO has been extended to all the Indian Missions/Posts abroad. The RTI applicants may, therefore, pay the RTI fee/cost of information, also on-line using the said e-IPO service, for seeking information. The applicant needs to get himself registered at the website. He has to select the Ministry/Department from whom he desires to seek the information under the RTI Act and the e-IPO so generated can be used to seek information from that Ministry/Department only. A printout of the e-IPO is required to be attached with the RTI application. If the RTI application is being filed electronically, e-IPO is required to be attached as an attachment.

Information about the Embassy of India required under Section 4(i)(b) of the RTI Act, 2005.

(i)

Vision, Mission and Key Objectives

Embassy of India, Thimphu represents India in Bhutan with the objective of  promoting friendly relations with Bhutan as well as extending consular services to Indian nationals and foreigners in Bhutan.

(ii)

The particulars of the organization, functions and duties

Embassy of India, Thimphu is headed by Ambassador and has the following Wings: (i) Political Wing (ii) Economic and Commercial Wing (iii) Chancery (including Administration) (iv) Education Wing (iv) Consular Wing (including Labour Services).

Each Wing is headed by a Counsellor/First Secretary/Second Secretary rank officer. The hierarchy at the Embassy is

a  Ambassador

b  Deputy Chief of Mission

c  Counsellor

d  First Secretary

e  Second Secretary

f  Attache

The Embassy functions within the purview of business allocated to the Ministry of External Affairs under the Government of India’s Allocation of Business Rules and Transaction of Business Rules.

Broad functions of the Embassy are

a  Representing India and protecting India’s national interests in Bhutan;

b  Promoting friendly relations with Royal Government of Bhutan as also its people;

c  Furthering India-Bhutan bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest;

d  Reporting on major developments;

e  Negotiating agreements on various issues with the concerned Bhutanese authorities;

f  Extending consular services to Bhutanese, Indian and foreign nationals in Bhutan.

(iii)

The powers and duties of its officers and employees

General Administrative powers are derived from IFS(PLCA) Rules, as amended from time to time. Financial Powers are detailed in the Financial Powers of the Government of India's Representatives Abroad. Designated officials of the Embassy also have powers under the Passport Act.

(iv)

The procedure followed in the decision-making process, including channels of supervision and accountability

Decisions are taken under the instruction and supervision of the Ambassador.

Ambassador the the final decision making authority.

This Embassy follows procedures as indicated in the "Manual of Office Procedure" for Decision-making process under the supervision of the Ambassador.

Each official is responsible for the work allotted to him/her for correctness of rules and regulations and analysis of facts under the guidance and supervision of Wing officer with overall supervision of Ambassador.

Time limit as prescribed by the extant rules and regulation is followed.

The passport applications are accepted by the Embassy on the same day after completion of required formalities and generally printed passports are received within a month usually.

(v)

The norms set by it for the discharge of its functions

Norms are set under the instruction and supervision of the Ambassador.

The Functions of the Embassy inter alia include political, economic cooperation, trase and investment promotion, cultural interaction, education, press and media liaison, scientific cooperation, welfare of Indian Community etc.

Services offered: Consular, Passport and Visa services, responding to trade queries, promotion of economic and commercial trade, exhibition etc.

There are numerous procedures, guidelines and regulations applicable to different functions and services rendered by the Mission

Various forms and procedures to obtain the services have been given on the website of the Mission.

There are various mechanism in place for the redressal of grievances including by directly contacting the Mission, emails and/or through portals like MADAD, CPGRAMS, SEWA Portal, Global Pravasi Rishta Portal etc.

(vi)

The rules, regulations, instructions, manuals, etc. held in its control

IFS(PLCA) Rules and annexures

Delegated Financial Powers of Government of India's Representatives Abroad

Passport Act

Consular and Visa Manuals

General Financial Rules

Compendium of Rules on Local Staff, Flag Code, Card Code, FR/SR, Service Rules, Income Tax Rules

Other Central Government Rules and manuals published by Central Government.

(vii)

Statement of categories of documents that are held

•  Classified and unclassified documents related to India’s relations and economic cooperation with Bhutan.

• Classified and unclassified documents on Embassy’s administration matters.

• Unclassified documents including Joint statements, declarations, Agreements and MOUs. These are being progressively made available to the public through our website.

• Unclassified documents relating to Nehru- Wangchuck Cultural Centre

•  Maps, including classified maps.

• Passport and Consular services application forms. Political clearance records.

(viii)

The particulars of any arrangement that exists for consultation with, or representation by, the members of the public in relation to the formulation of its policy or implementation thereof

The Embassy functions within the norms of India's foreign policy formulated by the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi. This policy is implemented by the Embassy under the guidance and supervision of the Ambassador.

Steps taken by the Mission for engagement with Indian diaspora in Bhutan include:

consular Camps;

consular visit to Hydropower projects;

consular visits to Jail and

organizing open house for Indian Nationals

(ix)

A statement of the boards, councils, committees and other bodies consisting of two or more persons constituted as its part or for the purpose of its advice, and as to whether meetings of those boards, councils, committees and other bodies are open to the public, or the minutes of such meetings are accessible for public.

There are no Boards or Councils at the Embassy. Different Committees as prescribed are constituted from time to time.

Local Purchase Committee

CCSH Committee- Committee to deal with the cases of Sexual Harassment at the work place.

(x)

A directory of its officers and employees

A directory is given at Annexure I

(xi)

The monthly remuneration received by each of its officers and employees, including the system of compensation as provided in its regulations

Monthly remuneration and System of compensation is as per standard Government of India’s Pay Scales.

(xii)

The budget allocated to each of its agency, indicating the particulars of all plans, proposed expenditures and reports on disbursements made

As Per allocation from Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

(xiii)

The manner of execution of subsidy programmes, including the amounts allocated and the details of beneficiaries of such programmes.

This Embassy does not have any subsidy programs.

(xiv)

Particulars of recipients of concessions, permits or authorizations granted by it

There are no such concessions, permits or authorizations granted by Embassy.

(xv)

Details in respect of the information, available to or held by it, reduced in an electronic form

Citizens can access information held by the Embassy in the electronic form through our website https://www.indembthimphu.gov.in/ Further information can also be obtained from the following website held by Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi

Websites

Details

www.mea.gov.in

Main website of the Ministry of External Affairs

www.mealib.nic.in

Website of the library of the Ministry of External Affairs

www.mea.gov.in

Web link to access websites of various Indian Missions and Posts abroad

www.passportindia.gov.in

Website of the Passport Seva Project of the Consular, Passports and Visa (CPV) Division of Ministry of External Affairs

https://meaprotocol.nic.in

Website of the Protocol Division of the Ministry of External Affairs.

www.meafsi.gov.in

Website of the Foreign Services Institute of Ministry of External Affairs

www.indiandiplomacy.in

Website of the Public Diplomacy Division of Ministry of External Affairs

www.iccrindia.net

Website of Indian Council of Cultural Relations. A body under Ministry of External Affairs

www.icwa.in

Website of Indian Council of World Affairs. A body under Ministry of External Affairs

www.itec.mea.gov.in

Website of Technical Corporation of the Ministry of External Affairs

Information held by the Consul-General of India (CGI), Phuentsholing can be obtained from their website:

http://www.consulatephuentsholing.nic.in

(xvi)

The particulars of facilities available to citizens for obtaining information, including the working hours of a Library or reading room, if maintained for public use:

Nehru-Wangchuck Cultural Centre timings

 Library-  Morning (9AM- 1 PM)

    Evening (2PM – 5.30 PM)

Yoga –  Morning (8.45 AM-11AM)

    Evening (4.15 PM-6.30 PM)

Music –  Morning (8.45 AM-11AM)

    Evening (3.30 PM – 6.30 PM)

Embassy also has an Eco Park open to membership. Kindly visit https://www.indembthimphu.gov.in/Eco_Park/ for more details or write to ihgcthimphu@gmail.com.

(xvii)

The names, designations and other particulars of the Public Information Officers

Ms. Smriti Mishra
Second Secretary (Political) & CPIO,
Embassy of India,
Thimphu
Tel: 323227
Fax: 323195
e-mail: pol.thimphu@mea.gov.in

(xviii)

Such other information as may be prescribed and thereafter update these publications every year

The Embassy’s website has information which is updated on regular basis

(xix)

Data regarding death of Indians in Bhutan.

Please see Annexure II

(xx)

Guidelines for Indian Government websites (GIGW) is followed

The website of Embassy of India, Thimphu is STQC certified and the Certificate is attached (Click here)

(xxi)

Details of third party audit of voluntary disclosure

Third Party Audit of the Suo Moto disclosure by Embassy of India, Thimphu was carried out by the Authorized Auditor Agency: Pradeep Kumar L (Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, Ministry of External Affairs, Old JNU Campus, Munirka, New Delhi-110067 in September 2023.