Circulars/Orders related to RTI

• Implementation of the provisions of Section 4 of RTI Act, 2005
• Amendment to RTI Rules
• Directive of the Central Information Commission for time-bound implementation of the provisions of Section 4 of RTI Act, 2005 - role and job chart of Transparency Officer
• Directive of the Central Information Commission for time-bound implementation of the provisions of Section 4 of RTI Act, 2005
• Important Decisions of Central Information Commission
• Guide on the Right to Information Act, 2005
• Right to Information Act, 2005
• Right to Information (Regulation of Fee and Cost Rules), 2005

RTI Proactive Disclosure under Scetion 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act

The particulars of its organisation, functions and duties:

Background Information

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) is one of the constituent units of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), an autonomous organization being a society registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860 and financed wholly by grant from Ministry of Agriculture (Department of Agricultural Research & Education), Govt. of India.

The CMFRI was established by the Govt. of India under the Ministry of Agriculture during 1947. As per the Resolution dated 11/09/1967 of Govt. of India, the administrative control of this Institute and its Centres has been transferred to the ICAR Society with effect from 01/10/1967.

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), one of the eight national fisheries research institutes under ICAR, through its research and developmental activities in marine fisheries during the last five decades has been able to sustain the marine fish production through development and implantation of resource management strategies and policy advisories to the Govt. of India for fisheries governance. The Institute has been responsible for developing time series data base on marine fish production from the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the country, their biology, distribution, abundance, fishery forecast, potential yield, stock assessment and in formulating management measures for sustainable production.

The Institute has successfully addressed issues of ecosystem health, biodiversity conservation and coastal pollution. The technologies developed for tissue culture, culture of finfishes, pearls, mussels, clams, crabs, lobsters, sea cucumber and seaweeds and other cultivable organisms in open seas have opened avenues for entrepreneurship development, increased production, employment generation, women empowerment, uplift of the fisher folk and growth of the fishing industry. The credit for earning substantial foreign exchange through large-scale shrimp farming in the country is fully owing to the adoption of the hatchery technologies for shrimps developed by the Institute. The coastal mariculture development through bivalve farming is the outcome of CMFRI technology dissemination. The HRD and out-reach extension programmes of the Institute have an enduring brand identity. The CMFRI, with the following mandate, has a vision to ensure equitability and sustainability of the resources.

Organizational set up

The Director is the Head of the Department (Institute). The Institute is having three Committees namely (1) Research Advisory Committee (RAC); (2) Institute Research Council (IRC); (3) Institute Management Committee (IMC) to guide the research and administration process through periodical meetings.

The Institute is having six divisions to undertake multi-disciplinary research in Capture and Culture fisheries. The divisions are:

• Fishery Resources Assessment, Economics and Extension Division: This Division estimates the marine fish landings of the country through a well established system of sampling procedures. The Division is collecting marine fish lading statistics from around 1500 landing centres peppered along Indian coast line. Undertakes research projects to assess the socio economic impact of new innovations, schemes and technologies. Also carries out projects on economics of production and marketing management including seafood trade.
• Finfish Fisheries Division: Undertakes research on pelagic resources like oilsardines, tunas and carries out research in demersal resources like seer fish, snappers, and pomfrets.
• Shellfish Fisheries Division: Undertakes research in molluscan resources like oysters, cephalopods and clams and carries out research projects on Crustacean resources like prawns and lobsters.
• Marine Biodiversity and Environment Management Division: Studies the environmental parameters of the ocean and the impact of environmental parameters on the fishery. Carries out research projects on resources like corals, sponges, and is maintaining a database and a repository of marine organisms for museum. Also focuses on conservation aspects of marine biodiversity.
• Marine Biotechnology, Fish Nutrition and Health Division: Takes up research projects on biotechnological aspects like gene sequencing, DNA bar coding, development of feed and related biotechnology aspects. 
• Mariculture Divison: The Division focuses on the research on the culture of finfish and shell fishes. Demonstrates the concept of open sea cage farming and carries out research projects on this line. There are 25 scientists working in this Division

• Two Krishi Vigyana Kendras (KVK) attached to CMFRI are functioning at Narakkal (Ernakulam district) and Kavaratti (Lakshadweep). The KVKs imparts training in mariculture, agriculture, animal husbandry and other related subjects to fish farmers, agricultural farmers and farm women.
• To facilitate the research, HRD, extension and consultancy different cells are formed. The Priority setting, Monitoring and Evaluation cell (PME cell) is looking after the technical matters, processes the research project proposals and technical reports on the activities of the Institute..
• The Human Resource Development Cell (HRD Cell) is concentrating on organization of training for the staff members and coordinating the training programmes conducted/organized in the Institute.
• The Institute takes up short-term research projects on important and priority areas through ad-hoc research projects funded by the outside agencies-both national and international.
• The Consultancy Processing cell (CPC) processes the consultancy proposals to offer consultancy services to the Clients from both Government organizations and also private industrial units.
• The official language implementation and monitoring the use of Hindi in official dealings are done by the Official Language Implementation Cell (OLIC).

Regional Centres and Regional Stations

The Institute has four Regional Centres and seven Regional Stations undertaking location specific research.

(A) Regional Centres

1. Mandapam (Year of establishment-1949, converted to Regional Centre in 1971)
2. Visakhapatnam (1947, up graded to Regional Centre in 2001)
3. Mangalore (1957, up graded to Regional Centre in 2020)
4. Vizhinjam (1951, up graded to Regional Centre in 2020)

(B) Regional Stations

1. Mumbai (1947)
2. Veraval
3. Karwar (1948)
4. Calicut (1947)
5. Tuticorin (1948)
6. Chennai (1947)
7. Digha (2017)

(C) Field Centres

1. Mandapam (Year of establishment-1949, converted to Regional Centre in 1971)
2. Visakhapatnam (1947, up graded to Regional Centre in 2001)
3. Mangalore (1957, up graded to Regional Centre in 2020)
4. Vizhinjam (1951, up graded to Regional Centre in 2020)

(B) Regional Stations

1. Mumbai (1947)
2. Veraval
3. Karwar (1948)
4. Calicut (1947)
5. Tuticorin (1948)
6. Chennai (1947)
7. Digha (2017)

(C) Field Centres

1. Quilon
2. Bhatkal
3. Goa
4. Ratnagiri
5. Alibag
6. Jamnagar
7. Kanyakumari
8. Pattukottai
9. Nagapattinam
10. Cuddalore
11. Ongole
12. Narsapur
13. Srikakulam
14. Puri
15. Contai

The Administration and Audit & Accounts units of the Institute functions with the following sections.

• Establishment I
• Establishment II
• Bills & Cash
• Coordination
• Purchase
• Inventory Management 
• Audit & Accounts
• Estate and Maintenance 

The common facilities available in the Institute are:

1. Agricultural Knowledge Management Unit (AKMU) : Management of the Internet, LAN connection and providing net work facilities

2. The Library and Documentation Unit manages the Central Library of the Institute and caters to the need of the staff members of the Institute. It also takes care of the publications of the Institute like MFIS, News Letter and Special Publications. Library provides reference facilities to research staff and students of the Institute as well as the visiting scientists both within and outside the country. Digital library through LAN and online access to over 36 subscribed journals and over 400 internet journals are freely available to the Scientists.

3. Research Labs: Provides centralized laboratory facilities for research projects of the Institute

4. Hatcheries: For maricuture work and coming under Mariculture Division

5. The Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC) serves as an interphase between the farming community, entrepreneurs and the scientists of the Institute. The ATIC provides all current information on technologies, opportunities, latest advancements through interphase, discussions, seminars, exhibits, scientific literature, leaflets, and offers free or subsidized services in water analysis, disease treatment, prophylaxis management etc. Managed by the FRAEE Division. 

6. Biodiversity Museum: A repository of marine flora and fauna.

7. Marine Aquaria: 

Mandate of the Institute

• Monitor and assess the marine fisheries resources of the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) including the impact of climate and anthropogenic activity and develop sustainable marine fishery management plans.
• Basic and strategic research in mariculture to enhance production.
• Act as a repository of geospatial information on marine fishery resources and habitats.
• Consultancy services and human resource development through training, education and extension.

The powers and duties of its officers and employees:

[CMFRI Organogram]

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

The procedure indicating in Manual of Office Procedure (MOP) for decision making is complied with in the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Accordingly, Assistant Administrative Officer/Assistant Finance & Accounts Officer takes action with the help of staff (Assistant, UDC and LDC) posted in his Section in accordance with the departmental instructions prescribing the level of final disposal and channel of submission for each category of cases. The AAO/AFAO disposes cases at their level for which they are empowered and submits the file to the Administrative Officer/Finance & Accounts Officer who in turn submits the file which requires decision of higher authorities to Chief Administrative Officer/Chief Finance & Accounts Officer and they submits the file to the Director of the Institute.

The norms set by it for the discharge of its functions:

Efforts are made to deal with the cases as expeditiously as possible in accordance with the rules, regulations and other instructions issued from time to time. The time schedule for disposing of some of the cases is defined in the relevant rules/instructions.

The rules, regulations, instructions, manuals and records, held by it or under its control or used by its employees for discharging its functions:

• Establishment & Administration Manual
• Fundamental Rules & Supplementary Rules -I (General Rules)
• Fundamental Rules & Supplementary Rules - II (Traveling Allowance Rules)
• Central Civil Services (Leave Rules)
• General Financial Rules - 2005
• Delegation of Financial Powers Rules
• CCS (Pension Rules)
• Seniority & Promotion Rules
• Manual of Office Procedure
• Conduct Rules
• House Building Rules
• CCS (CCA) Rules
• Brochure on Verification of Character &Antecedents
• Instructions, guidelines etc. issued by the Department of Personnel & Training, Ministry of Finance etc. from time to time.
• Rules and Bye-laws of the ICAR Society
• Delegation of Powers
• ARS Rules
• Handbook on Technical Service Rules
• Recruitment Rules framed for different posts in ICAR

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:

Interaction with the public already exists through e-mail and "Enquiry" link in the website.

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:

• Institute Management Committee
• Research Advisory Committee
• Institute Research Council
• Institute Joint Staff Council

The minutes of the meetings of these committees are accessible to the public on request.

A directory of its officers and employees:

[Click to download the CMFRI Directory]

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

[Click to download the file]

No. of employees against whom Disciplinary action has been proposed/taken [Section 4(2)]

[Click to download the file]

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

[Click to view the Annual Accounts of CMFRI for the FY 2021-22]

[Click to view the budget allocation to CMFRI for previous years (in CMFRI Annual Reports)]

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

NIL

Particulars of recipients of concessions, permits or authorisations granted by it:

NIL

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

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

The Library and Documentation Unit manages the Central Library of the Institute and caters to the need of the staff members of the Institute. It also takes care of the publications of the Institute like MFIS, News Letter, Special Publications, Bulletin & Annual Report. Library provides reference facilities to research staff and students of the Institute as well as the visiting scientists both within and outside the country. Digital library through LAN and online access to over 36 subscribed journals and over 400 International journals are freely available to the Scientists. Library books reference facility available to the public with a fee of Rs.30/- per month.

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

See above.