4.1 Language in which Information Manual/Handbook Available [F No. 1/6/2011-IR dt. 15.4.2013]

4.2 When was the information Manual/Handbook last updated? [F No. 1/6/2011-IR dt 15.4.2013]:

Updated on 15-05-2024

4.2.1 Last date of Annual updation:

last updated on 15-05-2024

4.3 Information available in electronic form [Section 4(1)(b)(xiv)]:

Yes CMLRE Website Link

4.3.1 Details of information available in electronic form:

Brochure, Pamphlets, booklets, handbooks on the Journey of CMLRE, Department-owned Research vessel FORV Sagar Sampada, etc.

4.3.2 Name/ title of the document/record/ other information:

Details are available in CMLRE repository LINK

4.3.3 Location where available:

CMLRE repository(online available; https://cmlre.gov.in" target="_BLANK" title="External site that opens in a new window "/a>)

4.4 Particulars of facilities available to citizen for obtaining information [Section 4(1)(b)(xv)]

4.4.1 Name & location of the faculty:

Library-in-charge, CMLRE

4.4.2 Details of information made available:

Published documents

4.4.3 Working hours of the facility:

0900hrs to 1730hrs

4.4.4 Contact person & contact details (Phone, fax email):

Mr. V. Binoy, Fax;0484 2944006

4.5 Such other information as may be prescribed under Section 4(i) (b)(xvii):

4.5.1 Grievance redressal mechanism:

The committee formulated for this purpose is the ‘Internal Complaints Committee’. Any written complaints raised by the individual are submitted to the Chairman / Member Secretary. Thereafter, the Chairman convenes a meeting with members, discusses the matter in detail, and takes appropriate action in accordance with the procedure.

4.5.2 Details of applications received under RTI and information provided:

From 2015 onwards to March 2026, 197 Nos. of RTI application received. 152 Nos. Information given, 42 Nos transferred to other public authorities.

4.5.3 List of completed schemes/ projects/ Programmes:

(See the Link: https://www.cmlre.gov.in/research-programs" target="_BLANK" title="External site that opens in a new window "/a>)

4.5.4 List of schemes/ projects/ programme underway:

The CMLRE components under the PRITHVI scheme are restructured to major themes continued during 2021-26 as follows: 1) Marine Biodiversity & Ecology, 2) Fishery Resources and Habitat Assessment, 3) Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, and 4) Societal Development. Under the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM), CMLRE envisaged addressing the Technological Innovations for Exploration and Conservation of Deep-sea Biodiversity, which include Inventorization of deep-sea fauna and flora of deep-sea hotspots like seamounts, capacity building on deep-sea taxonomy and genomic studies, and development of a biodiversity database. In addition to the above, the Mission Mausam (MM) program at CMLRE aims to advance scientific understanding of ocean–atmosphere interactions and their influence on marine ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles, and climate variability, thereby enabling predictive capability and supporting the sustainable management of marine living resources in the Indian EEZ under a changing climate.

4.5.5 Details of all contracts entered into, including name of the contractor, amount of contract and period of completion of contract:

Sl No.	Items	Name of contractor	Amount of contract(rs)	Period of completion of contract
1	Administrative operator or Office Assistant or Executive Assistant	M/s. Firstman Management Service Private Limited, Chennai	13,57,697/-	24 months w.e.f 31.08.2021 extended up to March 2026
2	Security contract	M/S Manoj Kumar AV Security Agency 30/1609, 1st floor, Cherukar Building, Kommeri P.O., Kozhikode, Kerala - 673007	Rs. 39,450/- per security guard excluding tax	For two years w.e.f 01.10.2024, Upto four years
3	Multi-tasking/ housekeeping Staff	M/s. S.Sekar No 218, Thindamangalam Colony, Panangattur P.O., Omallur, Salem, Tamilnadu	Rs. 55,50,511/-	24 months w.e.f 01.06.2024
4	Taxi contracts	M/s. Scenic Holidays, 49/842 A Kaniyampuza Road Near Hotel Mermaid Vyttila . P. O Kochi -682019	Minimum Charge/day (up to 80 Km/8 Hrs) Hatchback – Rs. 1,600/- Sedan – 1,640/- Premium MPV– Rs. 2,800/- Premium Sedan – 3,400/- 17-seater - Rs. 4,400/-	11 months w.e.f 30.03.2022. Due to technical reasons extended upto May 2024

4.5.6 Annual Report

CMLRE regularly contributes detailed inputs on the progress, achievements, and outcomes of the Marine Living Resources Programme (MLRP) for the Ministry’s Annual Report.
The Annual Reports of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) are published every financial year and are available in the public domain on the MoES website under the “Documents” section: https://www.moes.gov.in/documents?page=1." target="_BLANK" title="External site that opens in a new window "These reports provide comprehensive information on the research activities, major achievements, and financial details of CMLRE.

4.5.7 Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) on RTI:

Q.1. What is Information?
Information is any material in any form. It includes records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advice, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, and data material held in any electronic form.
Q.2. What is a Public Authority?
A "public authority" is any authority or body or institution of self-government established or constituted by or under the Constitution; or by any other law made by the Parliament or a State Legislature; or by notification issued or order made by the Central Government or a State Government. The bodies owned, controlled or substantially financed by the Central Government or a State Government and non-Government organisations substantially financed by the Central Government or a State Government also fall within the definition of public authority. The financing of the body or the NGO by the Government may be direct or indirect.
Q.3 What is a Public Information Officer?
Public authorities have designated some of their officers as Public Information Officers. They are responsible for giving information to a person who seeks information under the RTI Act.
Q.4. What is the Fee for Seeking Information from Central Government Public Authorities?
A person who desires to seek information from a Central Government Public Authority is required to send, along with the application, a demand draft or a banker’s cheque or an Indian Postal Order of Rs.10/- (Rupees ten), payable to the Accounts Officer of the public authority as fee prescribed for seeking information. The payment of fee can also be made by way of cash to the Accounts Officer of the public authority or to the Assistant Public Information Officer against proper receipt. However, the RTI Fee and the mode of payment may vary as under Section 27 and Section 28, of the RTI Act, 2005 the appropriate Government and the competent authority, respectively, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act.
Q.5. What is the Fee for the BPL applicant for Seeking Information?
If the applicant belongs to below poverty line (BPL) category, he is not required to pay any fee. However, he should submit a proof in support of his claim to belong to the below poverty line.
Q.6. Is there any specific Format of Application?
There is no prescribed format of application for seeking information. The application can be made on plain paper. The application should, however, have the name and complete postal address of the applicant.
Q.7. Is it required to give any reason for seeking information?
The information seeker does not require to give reasons for seeking information.
Q.8. Is there any provision for exemption from Disclosure of Information?
Sub-section (1) of section 8 and section 9 of the Act enumerate the types of information which is exempt from disclosure. Sub-section (2) of section 8, however, provides that information exempted under sub-section 3 (1) or exempted under the Official Secrets Act,1923 can be disclosed if public interest in disclosure overweighs the harm to the protected interest.
Q.9. Is there any assistance available to the Applicant for filing RTI application?
If a person is unable to make a request in writing, he may seek the help of the Public Information Officer to write his application, and the Public Information Officer should render him reasonable assistance. Where a decision is taken to give access to a sensorily disabled person to any document, the Public Information Officer shall provide such assistance to the person as may be appropriate for inspection.
Q.10. What is the Time Period for Supply of Information?
In the normal course, information to an applicant shall be supplied within 30 days from the receipt of the application by the public authority. If information sought concerns the life or liberty of a person, it shall be supplied within 48 hours. In case the application is sent through the Assistant Public Information Officer or it is sent to the wrong public authority, five days shall be added to the period of thirty days or 48 hours, as the case may be.
Q.11. Is there any provision of Appeal under the RTI Act?
If an applicant has not received information within the prescribed time of thirty days or 48 hours, as the case may be, or is not satisfied with the information furnished to him, he may prefer an appeal to the first appellate authority who is an officer senior in rank to the Public Information Officer. Such an appeal, should be filed within a period of thirty days from the date on which the limit of 30 days of supply of information is expired or from the date on which the information or decision of the Public Information Officer is received. The appellate authority of the public authority shall dispose of the appeal within a period of thirty days or in exceptional cases within 45 days of the receipt of the appeal.
Q.12. Is there any scope for second appeal under the RTI Act?
If the first appellate authority fails to pass an order on the appeal within the prescribed period
or if the appellant is not satisfied with the order of the first appellate authority, he may prefer to file a second appeal with the Central Information Commission within ninety days from the date
on which the decision should have been made by the first appellate authority or was actually
received by the appellant.
Q.13. Whether Complaints can be made under this Act? If yes, under what conditions?
If any person is unable to submit a request to a Public Information Officer either by reason that such an officer has not been appointed by the concerned public authority; or the Public Information Officer has refused to accept his or her application or appeal for forwarding the same to the appellate authority, as the case may be; or he has been refused access to any information requested by him under the RTI Act; or he has not been given a response to a request for information within the time limit specified in the Act; or he has been required to pay an amount of fee which he considers unreasonable; or he believes that he has been given incomplete, misleading or false information, he can make a complaint to the Information Commission.
Q.14. What is the Method of Seeking Information?
A citizen who desires to obtain any information under the Act, should make an application to the Public Information Officer of the concerned public authority in writing in English or Hindi or in the official language of the area in which the application is made. The application should be precise and specific. He should make payment of application fee at the time of submitting the application as prescribed in the Fee Rules.

4.5.8 Any other information such as - (a) Citizen’s Charter, (b) Result Framework Document (RFD), (c) Six monthly reports on the, (d) Performance against the benchmarks set in the Citizen’s Charter:

(a) Citizens' Charter involves the commitment of the institute towards standard, quality and time frame of project completion, grievance redress mechanism, transparency and accountability. As such, the key components of a meaningful Citizen’s Charter are a clear statement of Vision and Mission, and objective statements, Project programmes and Activities, Specification of Time Frame for project completion that are being implemented by the institute.
(a) CMLRE does not have a separate, standalone Citizen’s Charter document. However, the institute’s commitment towards transparency, accountability, and timely execution of research activities is reflected through its Vision, Mission, Mandates, and the detailed information about ongoing research programmes, which are available on the official website.
Vision, Mission, Mandates and information about various research programmes and activities are provided at: https://www.cmlre.gov.in/" target="_BLANK" title="External site that opens in a new window "/a>
(b) CMLRE does not maintain a separate Result Framework Document (RFD). However, the Institute’s performance targets and achievements are regularly reviewed through the Research Advisory Council (RAC) meetings and are reflected in the Annual Reports submitted to the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
(c) CMLRE conducts six monthly Research Advisory Council (RAC) meetings and prepares the Annual reports submitted to MoES (www://moes.gov.in; annual report section) based on the targets achieved through the ongoing programmes and activities for implementation of MLRP programme.
(d) CMLRE conducts six-monthly Research Advisory Council (RAC) meetings to review the progress of ongoing research programmes under the Marine Living Resources Programme (MLRP). Based on these reviews, the Institute prepares and submits progress reports and Annual Reports to the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
The Annual Reports are available at the MoES website: https://moes.gov.in" target="_BLANK" title="External site that opens in a new window "/a> (Annual Reports section)
(d) Since a separate Citizen’s Charter is not available, performance is monitored against the targets and objectives defined in the Institute’s Mandates and research programme goals. Regular reviews are carried out through Research Advisory Council (RAC) meetings, and the progress is reported to MoES through six-monthly reviews and Annual Reports.

4.6 Receipt & Disposal of RTI applications & appeals [F.No 1/6/2011-IR dt. 15.04.2013]

4.6.1 Details of applications received and disposed:

From 2015 onwards to March 2025, 171 RTI applications were received. 132 Nos. information given and disposed of, 3Nos. pending for getting additional fees. 36 Nos. transferred to another public Authority.
During the period from April 2025 to March 2026, 26 RTI applications have been received. 6 Nos have been transferred to other public authorities, and 20 Nos of information have been given and disposed of.

4.6.2 Details of appeals received and orders issued:

1 No. of appeals received, 1 Nos reply given and disposed of (April 2025 to March 2026)

4..7 Replies to questions asked in the Parliament [Section 4(1)(b)(xvii)]

4.7.1 Details of questions asked and replies given:

CMLRE provides input to MoES, New Delhi, for parliamentary questions, see the link: https://www.moes.gov.in/connect/parliament-questions" target="_BLANK" title="External site that opens in a new window "/a>