Suo Moto disclosure under section 4 of RTI Act, 2005

The Right to Information Act 2005 came into force for its enactment from 12th October 2005 to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority in India. Under this RTI act, the following information is given on the website of CMLRE.
1. Organization and Function
1.1 Particulars of Organization, Functions and Duties
1.1.1 Name and Address of the organization
Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE)
Atal Bhavan, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
Government of India
Ochanthuruthu (PO), LNG Road,
Puthuvyppe, Kochi -682508.
1.1.2 Head of organization
Dr. R.S. Maheskumar, Scientist-G & HoD
1.1.3 Vision, mission and key objectives

For organizing, coordinating and promoting ocean research and development activities in the country which inter-alia include mapping of the living resources, preparing inventory of commercially exploitable living marine resources, their optimum utilization through ecosystem management and R&D in basic sciences on Marine Living Resources and Ecology.

The Marine Living Resources (MLR) Programme envisages survey, assessment and exploitation of the MLR and studies on the response of MLR to changes in the physical environment and develop an ecosystem model for the management of the living resources in the Indian EEZ.

The Fishery Oceanographic Research Vessel (FORV) SagarSampada is fully utilized for these studies with the support of Vessel Management Cell (VMC). Earlier plan projects include surveys and studies in the EEZ with focus on deep sea fishery, harmful algal blooms, bioluminescent planktons, marine mammals, environment and the productivity patterns. These monitoring efforts and allied activities under MLR also includes studies on benthos of the continental slope area, biodiversity of plankton in Andaman sea, studies on the near-shore dynamics with special reference to upwelling and mud-banks, application oriented R&D on production of pearls from the black-lip pearl oyster, development of antifouling compounds from the marine organisms, modelling efforts and maintenance of a Data & Referral Centre on FORV collections. The activities during 2017-20 was mainly taken up as the in-house component, with a view to strengthen our scientific capability and infrastructure development in the newly inaugurated campus at Puthuvype during 2019. The scope mentioned above has been proposed to be addressed by restructuring the 12thplan activities based on the IRC recommendations into the following two projects was implemented during 2017-21:

• Marine Ecosystem Dynamics of eastern Arabian Sea (MEDAS)
• Resource Exploration and Inventorization System (REIS)

The above mentioned thrust areas have been taken up in the MLR programme under the umbrella scheme O-SMART. These MEDAS and REIS activities under O-SMART need to be continued to realize the deliverables/outcomes in the next five years i.e. 2021-26. Taking into consideration the changes in the ecosystems and the interactions, the existing two main stream projects MEDAS and REIS are proposed to be continued during 15th Finance Commission period with more focussed studies and activities to address the scientific outcomes that are useful and benefit the society. Ocean Acidification (OA) effects on the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal ecosystems and fishery oceanographic studies in the India marine ecosystem are now included to address the societal and climate change relevant issues on marine living resources. The CMLRE components under O-SMART have now changed into PRITHVI and are accordingly restructured into major themes as 1) Marine Biodiversity & Ecology, 2) Fishery Resources and Habitat Assessment, 3) Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, and 4) Societal Development. The main objective of the major themes is given below,

i. Inventorisation and mapping of marine biodiversity hotspots and species assemblage patterns of Andaman& Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands ecosystems
ii. Assessing the fishery resources and habitat suitability of selected meso-pelagic, demersal species and major economically important small pelagic fishes in the Indian EEZ.
iii. Marine ecosystem processes of Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal with special emphasis on ocean acidification and its potential impacts on biological dynamics.
iv. Enhancement of natural stock of marine ornamental fishes in Lakshadweep through hatchery rearing and sea ranching and train coastal and island communities on hatchery rearing of ornamental fishes for their livelihood improvement.

In addition, the CMLRE is carrying out another program named Deep Ocean Mission (DOM). The Deep Ocean Mission is a national program launched by the Government of India through the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). The mission aims to establish India as a global leader in deep-sea biodiversity research and conservation, fostering sustainable use of marine resources through innovative technologies and data-driven insights, contributing to the Blue Economy and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) for a Viksit Bharat by 2047. As only about 5% of the deep ocean has been explored, the mission focuses on utilizing advanced technologies to study deep-sea biodiversity and resources. DOM consists of six thematic verticals, one of which is Technological Innovations for Exploration and Conservation of Deep-Sea Biodiversity (Theme/Vertical 3). This vertical focuses on exploring and conserving the vast, largely unexplored biodiversity of the deep sea, which holds potential for novel biomolecules and drug discovery. CMLRE is the nodal agency for Theme/Vertical 3 it focuses to comprehensively explore, document, and conserve deep-sea fauna in the Northern Indian Ocean within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), emphasizing on the biodiversity hotspots like seamounts, by developing advanced non-invasive technologies, genomic tools, and capacity-building initiatives, ensuring long-term ecological and economic benefits.

1.1.4 Function and duties
CMLRE mainly engaged in coordinating and implementing the Marine Living Resources (MLR) Programme envisages survey, assessment and exploitation of the MLR and studies on the response of MLR to changes in the physical environment with the objective of developing an ecosystem model for the management of the marine living resources in the Indian EEZ.
1.1.5 Organization Chart
1.1.6 Any other details-the genesis, inception, formation of the department and the HoDs from time to time as well as the committees/ Commissions constituted from time to time have been dealt

Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE) was established at Kochi in 1998 by upgrading the erstwhile Sagar Sampada Cell with exclusive facilities for implementing Marine Living Resources (MLR) Programme. CMLRE, Cochin under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India has been organizing, coordinating and promoting ocean development activities in the country which inter-alia include mapping of the living resources, preparing inventory of commercially exploitable living marine resources, their optimum utilization through ecosystem management and R&D in basic sciences on Marine Living Resources and Ecology. The Marine Living Resources Programme envisages survey, assessment and exploitation of the MLR and studies on the response of MLR to changes in the physical environment with the objective of developing an ecosystem model for the management of the living resources in the Indian EEZ. The Fishery Oceanographic Vessel (FORV) Sagar Sampada is fully utilized for these studies. On-going MLR surveys in the EEZ focus on bio-diversity, meso-pelagic fishery and its environmental linkage, harmful algal blooms, Bioluminescent plankton, marine mammals, environment and the productivity patterns etc. These efforts are complimented through allied activities under MLR namely studies on the benthos of the continental shelf and slope area, studies on biodiversity of planktons in Andaman Sea etc. There are three major sections in CMLRE, (a) Research and developmental activities under MLRP (2) Vessel Management Centre and (3) Establishment and Finance. The detailed of three sections given in the Flow chart (Section 1.1.5)

CMLRE is implementing different projects under the continuing plans/schemes of the GOI. Since inception under the leadership of the Director, Prof Raveendranathan V, the centre was coordinating Research and development projects under the umbrella of MLR in various research institutes/universities. Later in 2006, Dr. V N Sanjeevan took charge of the Centre and the programmes with a vision to expand it to National Centre on MLR in India. He retired in 2013. Followed by him, Dr. Madheswaran took charge as Director from November 2013. His successor Dr. M Sudhakar continued (joined September, 2014) to lead the activities and established a permanent campus in Puthuvype, Kochi during 2019. He retired in December 2019. Also, in-house research capability was strengthened and the journey was effectively carried forward further by Dr. M.V. Ramanamurthy (Joined as Director, CMLRE on January 2020 and relieved on October, 2020), and thereafter by Dr. G.V.M. Gupta, HoD, CMLRE; who strengthened the in-house lab facility for MLR activity, who continued till May 2025. Thereafter, Dr. MahesKumar took charge as HoD of CMLRE on 28/05/2025 (Continuing).

1.2 Power and duties of its officers and employees

Sl. No.	Designation	Name	Power and Duties of Employees
1	HoD, Scientist-G	Dr. R.S. Mahes Kumar	Scientist-G and Head of Department
2	Scientist-G	Dr. GVM Gupta (on loan to NCCR)
3	Scientist-F	Shri. N. Saravanane (on loan to NCCR)
4	Scientist-F	Smt. C.R Asha Devi	Scientific activities related to MLR
5	Scientist-F	Dr. Sherine Sonia Cubelio	Scientific activities related to MLR
6	Scientist-E	Dr. Rasheed Kunjumohammed	Scientific activities related to MLR
7	Scientist-E	Dr. Anil Kumar Vijayan (on Loan to MoES)
8	Scientist-E	Dr. Smitha B R	Scientific activities related to MLR
9	Scientist-E	Dr. Hashim Manjebrayakath	Scientific activities related to MLR
10	Scientist-E	Dr. Periasamy Rengaiyan	Scientific activities related to DOM
11	Scientist-D	Shri.M. Subramanian	Vessel Management Cell & Scientific activities related to MLR
12	Scientist-D	Shri. C. Vasu	Estate-related matters / Scientific activities related to MLR
13	Scientist-D	Dr. Kusum Komal Karati	Scientific activities related to MLR
14	Scientist-D	Dr. Sendhil Kumar	Scientific activities related to MLR
15	Scientist-D	Dr.Siva Kiran Kumar Busala	Scientific activities related to MLR
16	Scientist-D	Dr. Vishnu Vardhan Kanuri	Scientific activities related to DOM
17	Scientist-D	Dr. Charan Kumar Basuri	Scientific activities related to DOM
18	Scientist-C	Dr. Wilson Sebastian	Scientific activities related to DOM
19	Scientist-C	Dr. Yashwanth B S	Scientific activities related to DOM
20	Scientist-C	Dr. Koushik Sadhukhan	Scientific activities related to DOM
21	Scientist-C	Shri. Karthic K	Scientific activities related to DOM
22	Scientist-B	Shri. B. Kishore Kumar (on Loan from MoES)	Scientific activities related to MLR
23	Under Secretary	Shri. Dhanesh P.G.	Head of Office
24	Sr. Accounts Officer	Smt. Jayasree Vinod	DDO/PAO
25	Section Officer	Smt. Ajitha Kumari M. N.	Budget/Accounts/Establishment/Vigilance related matters
26	LDC	Shri. E. A. Unnikrishanan	Timely preparation of all periodical returns and maintenance of all registers
27	LDC	Smt. K R Jaysree	Payment related duties
28	FH	Shri. K.R. Sunilkumar	Onboard Deck Assistance
29	FH	Shri. M. Rathinavel	Onboard Deck Assistance
30	FH	Shri. S.B. Prakash	Onboard Deck Assistance
31	FH	Shri. V. Binoy	Onboard Deck Assistance
32	FH	Shri. V.K. Pradeep Kumar	Onboard Deck Assistance
29	MTS	Shri. P.V. Sasi	Multi Tasking Staff

1.2.2 Rules /orders under which the powers and duty are derived and exercised, work allocation

The officers/staff of CMLRE discharge their functions based on the guidelines issued by the Government from time to time as well as those prescribed under different manuals, rules like General Financial Rules, Delegation of Financial Power Rules, Manual of Office Procedures, etc. Based on the Ministry approved scientific projects, works are allotted to various scientific, technical and administrative staffs during the tenure.

1.3 Procedure followed in the decision making process, including channels of supervision and accountability
1.3.1 Process of decision making and identify decision making points
The duties assigned to the different officers/staff, they exercise powers as prescribed by the guidelines issued by the Government of India from time to time as well as those prescribed under different manuals, rules like General Financial Rules, Delegation of Financial Power Rules, Manual of Office Procedures etc.
Director, CMLRE is Head of the Department and exercises financial powers delegated to him by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. He is the decision-making authority based on the rules and regulations as per the GOI order.
1.3.2 Final decision making authority
Director, CMLRE/Secretary, MoES/Minister-in-Charge, MoES, New Delhi
1.3.3 Related provision, Acts, rules etc
As per the rules and guidelines issued by GOI and approved by the MoES (Manual of Office Procedures, GFR Rule 2017, RTI rules etc.)

Department of Expenditure

Department of Personnel and Training

Right to Information

1.3.4 Time limit for taking decision
As expeditiously as possible
1.3.5 Channel of supervision and accountability
As per the flow chart described above
1.4 Norms set by the Department for the discharge of its functions.
While performing the duties assigned to the different officers/staff, they exercise by and large the powers prescribed by the guidelines issued by the Government of India from time to time as well as those prescribed under different manuals, rules like General Financial Rules, Delegation of Financial Power Rules, Manual of Office Procedures, etc.
1.4.1 Nature of functions/services offered
Mainly coordinating and implementing the R and D programme under Marine Living Resources (MLR)
1.4.2 Norms/standards for functions/services delivery
Scientific inputs are provided to stakeholders like State and Central Departments through reports, meetings and discussions.
1.4.3 Process by which these services can be accessed
Through meetings and discussions

1.4.4 Time-limit for achieving the targets

The MLR programme has been taken up under the umbrella scheme O-SMART and is carried out under major studies such as MEDAS and REIS under O-SMART. These activities need to be continued to realize the deliverables/outcomes in the next five years i.e. 2021-26. Taking into consideration of the changes in the ecosystems and the interactions, the existing two main stream projects MEDAS and REIS are proposed to be continued during 15th Finance Commission period with a more focussed studies and activities to address the scientific outcomes that are useful and benefit the society. Ocean Acidification (OA) effects on the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal ecosystems and fishery oceanographic studies in the south India marine ecosystem are now included to address the societal and climate change relevant issues on marine living resources. The CMLRE components under O-SMART are accordingly restructured into major themes as 1) Marine Biodiversity & Ecology, 2) Fishery Resources and Habitat Assessment, 3) Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, and 4) Societal Development. The CMLRE component under Deep Ocean Mission is (1) Technological innovations for exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity: Inventorization of deep-sea fauna and flora of deep-sea hotspots like sea mounts, capacity building on deep sea taxonomy and genomic studies, development of biodiversity database, bio-prospecting using deep sea genetic material of microbes are some of the major areas to be focused. March 2026- completion of the projects mentioned above.

1.4.5 Process of redressal of grievances
Internal compliance Committee constituted for redressal mechanism. Process by which any written complaints raised by the individual, submitted to the Chairman / Member secretary. Thereafter, the Chairman convenes a meeting with members and discuss the matter in details and take appropriate action as per the procedure.
1.5 Rules, regulations, instructions, manuals and records, held by the Department or under its control or used by its employees for discharge its functions
The officers/staff of CMLRE discharge their functions based on the guidelines issued by the Government of India from time to time as well as those prescribed under different manuals, rules like General Financial Rules, Delegation of Financial Power Rules, Manual of Office Procedures, etc.
1.5.1 Title and nature of the record/ manual /instruction: Scientific files in different projects and reports, scientific papers, handbook. Admin and account related records.
1.5.2 List of Rules, regulations, instructions manuals and records
Manual of Office Procedures, General Financial Rules (GFR-2017), Delegation of Financial Power Rules, RTI rules etc.

Department of Expenditure

Department of Personnel and Training

Right to Information

1.6.1 Categories of documents
Scientific papers and reports, finance documents, Establishment /Administrative documents, Finance documents, Library Books and documents

1.6.2 Custodian of documents/categories
All scientific documents under the Custody of Project investigators, Finance related documents under the custody of Finance officer/AO, and all administrative documents under the custody of the Head of Office (HoO). All Library books and documents are under the custody of the Library-in-charge.

1.7.1 Name of Boards, Council, Committee
• Research Advisory Committee (RAC)
• Purchase Committee
• Official Language Implementation Committee
• Publication Committee
• Verification Committee:
• Condemnation Committee:
• Internal complaints Committee
• FORV Sagar Sampada Techno-financial proposal Evaluation committee
• Local Purchase Committee (LPC)
• Purchase Committee DOM
• Oversight Committee for NPS

1.7.2: Composition of the Committee

1.13.1 Transfer Policy And Transfer Orders
CMLRE is attached office of MoES, So transfer policy is under the control of MoES & DoPT.
Ministry of Earth Sciences

Department of Personnel and Training