Organization and Function

    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. G. V. M Gupta, Scientist-G & Director
                  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 efforts are complimented through allied activities under MLR namely studies on benthos of the continental slope area, studies on 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 ongoingactivities during 2017-20,with 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 is proposed to be addressed by restructuring the 12thplan activities based on the IRC recommendations into the following two projects to be carried out during 2017-21,

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

                The MLR programme in the above mentioned thrust areas have been taken up under the umbrella scheme O-SMART include 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 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 to major themes as 1) Marine Biodiversity & Ecology, 2) Fishery Resources and Habitat Assessment 3) Marine Ecosystem Dynamics 4) Societal Development. The main objective of the major themes are 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.

                The CMLRE components under DOM are
                i. 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.

                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 SagarSampada 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 then Director, Prof Raveendranathan V, the centre was coordinating R and D 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 is 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 presently by Director Dr. G.V.M.Gupta.

              1.2 Power and duties of its officers and employees

                Designation Name Power and Duties of Employees
                Director, Sc-G Dr. G. V. M. Gupta Director/HOD
                Scientist-F Shri N. Saravanane Scientific activities related to MLR
                Scientist-E Dr. Rasheed Kunjumohammed Scientific activities related to MLR
                Scientist-E Smt. C.R Asha Devi Scientific activities related to MLR
                Scientist-E Dr. Sherine Sonia Cubelio Scientific activities related to MLR
                Scientist-E Dr. Anil Kumar Vijayan (on Loan to MoES) Scientific activities related to MLR
                Scientist-E Dr. Smitha B R Scientific activities related to MLR
                Scientist-D Dr.Hashim Manjebrayakath Scientific activities related to MLR
                Scientist-D Dr. Kusum Komal Karati Scientific activities related to MLR
                Scientist-D Dr. Sendhil Kumar Scientific activities related to MLR
                Scientist-D Shri.Telson Noronha Scientific activities related to MLR
                Scientist-D Shri.M Subramanian Vessel management cell – support/ Scientific activities related to MLR
                Scientist-D Shri. Vasu C Estate/Scientific activities rel1ated to MLR
                Scientist-D Dr.Siva Kiran Kumar Busala Scientific activities related to MLR
                Scientist-B Shri. Kishore Kumar (on Loan from MoES) Information Technology
                Under Secretary Shri. Dhanesh. P.G Head of Office
                Sr. Accounts Officer Smt. Jayashree Vinod DDO/PAO
                Section Officer Smt. Ajitha Kumari Dealing with all budget/accounts/establishment related matters
                LDC Shri. Unnikrishanan Timely preparation of all periodical returns and maintenance of all registers
                LDC Smt. K R Jaysree Payment related duties
                PA Smt.Sheeba Alex Work assigned by Under secretary and PAO

                FH Shri. K.R. Sunilkumar Onboard Deck Assistance
                FH Shri.M. Rathinavel Onboard Deck Assistance
                FH Shri. S.B. Prakash Onboard Deck Assistance
                FH Shri. V. Binoy Onboard Deck Assistance
                FH Shri. V.K. Pradeep Kumar Onboard Deck Assistance

                MTS Shri. K.K. Divakaran Multi Tasking Staff
                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 can be 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
                Director, CMLRE is the decision making authority based on the rules and regulation as per GOI order.
                1.3.2 Final decision making authority
                Director CMLRE/Secretary, 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 MLR
          1.4.2 Norms/standards for functions/services delivery
          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.
          1.4.3 Process by which these services can be accessed
          Through meetings and discussions

          1.4.4 Time-limit for achieving the targets

          The MLR programme have been taken up under the umbrella scheme O-SMART and 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 to major themes as 1) Marine Biodiversity & Ecology, 2) Fishery Resources and Habitat Assessment 3) Marine Ecosystem Dynamics 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 redress 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 discussed 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 etc.
          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

    1.5.3 Acts/ Rules manuals etc
    General Financial Rules, Delegation of Financial Power Rules, Manual of Office Procedures, etc.
    1.5.4 Transfer policy and transfer orders
    Under the control of MoES & DoPT, Govt of India
    1.6 Categories of documents held by the authority under its control
    Scientific reports and documents, Administrative documents/files, Account related documents, Library Books etc.
      1.6.1Categories of documents
      Scientific papers and reports, finance documents, Establishment /Administrative 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, All administrative documents under the custody of Head of Office. All Library books and documents under the custody of Library in charge.
    1.7 Boards, Councils, Committees and other Bodies constituted as part of the Public Authority
      1.7.1 Name of Boards, Council, Committee
    • Research Advisory Committee (RAC)
    • Needs Committee:
    • Purchase Committee O-SMART
    • Official Language Implementation Committee
    • Publication Committee
    • Verification Committee:
    • Condemnation Committee:
    • Internal complaints Committee
    • Purchase Committee DOM
    • FORV Sagar Sampada Techno-financial proposal Evaluation committee
    • Local Purchase Committee (LPC)
      1.7.2: Composition of the Committee
  1. CMLRE Research Advisory Committee

    2. Sl. No.
    Name/Institute
    Capacity
    1.Dr. R. Kirubagaran, former Head, Ocean science & technology, NIOT,ChennaiChairman
    2.Dr. M.V.Ramana Murthy,Director,NCCR,ChennaiMember
    3.Director,CMLREMember
    4.Dr.M.V.M Wafar, former Senior scientist,NIO,GoaMember
    5.Dr.Baban Ingole, Visiting Scientist, NCPORMember
    6.Dr.V.Kripa, Member, Coastal Aquaculture Authority & former Scientist, CMFRIMember
    7.Dr.V.V.S.S Sarma, Principal Scientist, NIO Member
    8.Dr.Sandip Mukhopadhyay, Scientist-F, MoES Member
    9.Dr.U. Sreedhar, Principal Scientist, CIFT-ICAR Member
    10.Representative, PD-MoES Member
    11.Shri.N. Saravanane, Scientist-F,CMLREMember Secretary

  2. Purchase Committee O-Smart

    3. Sl. No.
    Name
    Capacity
    1.Smt. C.R .AshaDeviChairman
    2.Dr.Kusum Komal Karati Member
    3.Dr. Shiva Kiran Busala Member
    4.Shri. Dhanesh PG Member
    4.Shri. B.. Kishore Kumar Member Secretary

  3. Official Language Implementation Committee

    4. Sl. No.
    Name
    Capacity
    1.Dr. GVM GuptaChairman
    2.Smt. C. R. Asha DeviMember
    3.Dr. Kusum K. K. Member

  4. Publication Committee

    5. Sl. No.
    Name
    Capacity
    1.Mr. N. SaravananeChairman
    2.Smt.C.R.Asha Devi Member
    3.Dr. Smitha B. R.Member
    4.Dr.Hashim M.Member Secretary

  5. Verification Committee

    6. Sl. No.
    Name
    Capacity
    1.Dr.Rasheed KunjumahmmedChairman
    4.Sri. Kishore Kumar B. Member
    5.Smt. Sheeba Alex.Member Secretary

  6. Condemnation Committee

    7. Sl. No.
    Name
    Capacity
    1.Dr. Smitha BRChairman
    2.Sri.C. VasuMember
    5.Smt. KR JayasreeMember

  7. Internal Complaints Committee

    8. Sl. No.
    Name
    Capacity
    1.Smt.C.R . AshaDevi Presiding Officer
    2.Sri. Telson NMember
    4.Smt. Sheeba AlexMember
    4.Smt.Jaleela Subramanian Non-Government Member

  8. FORV SagarSampada Techno-financial proposal Evaluation committee

    9. Sl. No.
    Name
    Capacity
    1.Shri. N. SaravananeChairman
    2.Dr.Smitha B. R.Member
    4.Dr. Hashim M.Member
    5.Sri. SubramanianMember Secretary

  9. Local Purchase Committee

    10. Sl. No.
    Name
    Capacity
    1.Dr. Rasheed KunjumahmmedChairman
    2.Dr.Kusum K.KMember
    4.Mr. M. SubramaniamMember
    4.Smt. Ajitha KumariMember
    5.Sri. C. VasuMember Secretary

  10. Purchase Committee for DOM

    11. Sl. No.
    Name
    Capacity
    1.Dr. Sherine. CChairman
    2.Sri. Telson NoronhaMember
    4.Dr.Hashim MMember
    4.Smt. Ajitha KumariMember
    5.Smt.Sheeba AlexMember Secretary

  11. 1.7.3 Dates from which constituted:
    1. Research Advisory Committee (RAC): 19.01.2022
    2. CMLRE Purchase Committee: 02.11.2020
    3. CMLRE Official Language Implementation Committee: 22.02.2021
    4. CMLRE Publication Committee: 14.09.2020
    5. Verification Committee: 07.05.2024
    6. Condemnation Committee: 07.05.2024
    7. Internal Complaints Committee:11.03.2021
    8. SagarSampada Techno-financial proposal Evaluation Committee : 03.12.2020
    9. Local Purchase Committee: 08.07.2021
  12. Term/Tenure
    1. Research Advisory Committee (RAC):19.01.2022 to continuing
    2. CMLRE Purchase Committee: 01.11.2020 to continuing
    3. CMLRE Official Language Implementation Committee:22.02.2021 to continuing
    4. CMLRE Publication Committee: 14.09.2020 to continuing
    5. Verification committee: 07.05.2024 (continuing)
    6. Condemnation committee: 07.05.2024 (continuing)
    7. Internal complaints committee: 11.03.2021 (continuing)
    8. FORV SagarSampada Techno-financial proposal Evaluation committee :03.12.2020 (continuing)
    9. Local Purchase committee: 08.07.2021 (continuing)
    10. Purchase committee (LPC) for DOM : 09.12.2022 (continuing)
  13. 1.7.5 Powers and functions:
    1. CMLRE Research Advisory Committee (RAC): Assessing ongoing research activities one in six months
    2. CMLRE Purchase Committee: For technical evaluation of indented items
    3. CMLRE Official Language Implementation Committee: The committee regularly reviews the progress made in the use of HIndi for official purposes
    4. CMLRE Publication Committee: Evaluation of publication papers, its ethics and science
    5. Verification committee: Physical verification of equipments assets and their performance
    6. Condemnation committee: Identify and verify condemn items
    7. Internal complaints committee: Solving issues in-house related to harassment of woman at work place other issues etc.
    8. FORV SagarSampada Techno-financial proposal Evaluation committee: To examine the proposal for the procurement of scientific equipments/ instruments connected to the vessel with regard to technical and financial aspects
    9. Local purchase committee : In case, certain items not available in GeM portal, the committee will survey the market to ascertain the reasonableness of rate, quality, specifications and identify the appropriate supplier
    10. Purchase committee for DOM: For Deep Ocean Mission project, the purchase committee constituted for all purchases made through GeM/e-procurement /e-wizard /LPC under Deep Ocean Mission.
  14. 1.7.6 Whether their meetings are open to the public:No, meetings are regularly attended by the staff of CMLRE working under MLR programme. Invited subject experts in MLR are included in special cases
  15. 1.7.7 Whether the minutes of the meetings are open to the public: No, Minutes are generally restricted within the committee and the staff of CMLRE. It is a scientific document, so it is suggested to incorporate through Intranet facility of CMLRE
  16. 1.7.8 Place where the minutes if open to the public are available: Minutes are generally restricted within the committee members and the staff of CMLRE.
    1.8 Monthly Remuneration Received By Each of its Officers and Employees, including the System of compensation

    1.8.1 Monthly Remuneration Received By Each of its Officers and Employees
    Sl.No Name Basic Pay (Rs)
    1 Dr. G. V. M. Gupta 188200
    3 Shri N. Saravanane 156600
    4 Dr. Rasheed Kunjumohammed 134500
    5 Smt. C.R Asha Devi 134500
    6 Dr. Sherine Sonia Cubelio 130600
    7 Dr. Anil Kumar Vijayan 130600
    8 Dr. Smitha B R 126800
    9 Dr. Hashim Manjebrayakath 91400
    10 Dr. Kusum Komal Karati 83600
    10 Dr. Sendhil Kumar R 83600
    11 Shri. Telson Noronha 99800
    12 Shri. M. Subramanian 83600
    13 Shri. Vasu C 81200
    13 Dr.Siva Kiran Kumar Busala 78800
    14 Shri. Kishore Kumar 69000
    14 Shri. Dhanesh PG 88400
    16 Smt. Jayasree Vinod 98400
    17 Smt. Ajitha Kumari 55200
    18 Shri. Unnikrishanan 45400
    19 Smt. K R Jaysree 50500
    20 Smt. Sheeba Alex 85100

    21 Shri. K.R. Sunilkumar 70000
    22 Shri. M. Rathinavel 70000
    23 Shri. S.B. Prakash 70000
    24 Shri. V. Binoy 58600
    25 Shri. V.K. Pradeep Kumar 60400
    27 Shri. K.K. Divakaran 37200
    28 Shri. P.V. Sasi 36100

    1.9.2: System of compensation as provided in its regulations
    The officers and staff of CMLRE are drawing admissible allowances including availing the facilities of LTC and medical benefits as per the order of Government of India from time to time.
    1.10 The names, designations and other particulars of the Public Information Officers
    Central Public Information Officer
    Dr. Rasheed Kunjumohammed
    Scientist-E/CPIO
    ATAL BHAVAN
    LNG Road. Puthu Vypin South,
    Ochanthuruthu PO,
    Kochi-682508
    Kerala
    Phone: 0484-2944017
    E-mail: CPIO[at]cmlre[dot]gov[dot]in
    The above email is given ONLY for filling online RTI u/s 7(1) of RTI act (life and liberty)RTI Appellate Authority
    Dr. G. V. M. Gupta
    Director/HOD,
    Applete Authority (RTI)CMLRE, ATAL BHAVAN
    LNG Road. Puthu Vypin South,
    Ochanthuruthu PO,
    Kochi-682508
    Kerala
    Phone: 0484-2944004
    1.11 No. Of employees against whom Disciplinary action has been proposed/ taken Nil
    1.11.1 No. of employees against whom disciplinary action has been (i) Pending for Minor penalty or major penalty proceedings Nil
    1.11.2 Finalized for Minor penalty or major penalty proceedings Nil
    1.12 Programmes to advance understanding of RTI
    1.12.1 Educational programmes: CPIO, CMLRE has organised session in RTI for scientist and other staffs of CMLRE.
    1.12.2 Efforts to encourage public authority to participate in these programmes Encourage to participate the RTI related programme through email and circular.
    1.12.3 Training of CPIO/APIO Dr.Rasheed.K, CPIO, CMLRE attended a training programme of RTI in Delhi during December 2016
    1.12.4 Update& publish guidelines on RTI by the Public Authorities concernedRegularly updating the details in CMLRE site . Last updated as on 15/05/2024