Right to Information Right to Information

Right to Information

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. Megha Arora

Second Secretary (Political) & CPIO

Embassy of India, Thimphu

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

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(1) (B) of the RTI Act, 2005.

(i)

The particulars of the organization, functions and duties

Indian Embassy, Thimphu is headed by Ambassador and has 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

Indian 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.

(ii)

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.

(iii)

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

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

(iv)

The norms set by it for the discharge of its functions

As prescribed by the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.

(v)

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

IFS(PLCA) Rules, Financial Powers of Government of India's Representatives Abroad, Passport Act, Consular and Visa Manual, Other Central Government Rules and manuals published by Central Government.

(vi)

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.

(vii)

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.

(viii)

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.

This Embassy has not constituted any such bodies. Adhoc Internal committees are constituted as and when required under the rules.

(ix)

A directory of its officers and employees

A directory is given at Annexure-I

 (x)

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

A statement of monthly remuneration is given at Annexure-II

(xi)

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

The budget figures and expenditure is given in the statement given at Annexure-III

(xii)

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.

(xiii)

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

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

(xiv)

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

Citizens can access information held by the Consulate in the electronic form through our website www.consulatephuentsholing.nic.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 

(xv)

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 AM-6.30 PM)

Music – Morning (8.45 AM-11AM)

Evening (3.30 PM – 6.30 PM)

Embassy also has a Golf Course open to membership. Kindly visit https://indembthimphu.gov.in/Golf/  for more details or write to ihgcthimphu@gmail.com.

(xvi)

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

Ms. Megha Arora,

Second Secretary (Political) & CPIO,

Embassy of India,

Thimphu

Tel: 323227

Fax: 323195

e-mail: pol[dot]thimphu[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in

(xvii)

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

(xviii)

Data regarding death of Indians in Bhutan under consular jurisdiction of CGI Phuentsholing

Please see Annexure-IV