Standardisation, Testing and Quality Certification Directorate

Mandatory provisions of Right to Information (RTI) Act,2005.
Refer: (i) to (xvii) under clause (b) of subsection 4(1) of RTI Act

1 Maintenance of all records in the manner prescribed in section 4(1)(a) of RTI Act

The records maintained by STQC Directorate relate to (i) Establishment / house-keeping records and (ii) records on various technical services viz. Certification and IT services. The records relating to housekeeping are maintained as per the provisions / guidelines contained in FR & SR, GFR, Receipts & Payments Rules etc. Records relating to technical services are maintained as per the Govt,. provisions. STQC DD (Pers) is responsible to maintain all these record. Computerization of activities / records in Administration & Accounts has been done wherever feasible.

2 Publication of the following :

(i) Particulars of organization, functions and duties

Standardisation, Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate is an attached office under the Department of Information Technology, Government of India. STQC provides cost-effective International level Assurance Services in Quality and Security on a national level to Indian industry and users. STQC Services are also being extended to other overseas countries. This programme has been in existence over three decades and was established based on the recommendations of Bhaba Committee's report on electronics industry. The programme has received substantial technical and financial support from the Government of Germany under the Indo-German Technical Cooperation project spanning over 15 years (1980-1995).

Initially the STQC programme was catering to the Testing and Calibration needs of the small and medium sized electronic industry. With the shift of focus on IT, the programme has undergone major changes in the past 4 years. From a mere Testing, Calibration and Quality Assurance Support to Electronics Hardware Sector, STQC has positioned itself as a prime Assurance Service Provider to both Hardware and Software industry and users. Recent focus of Department of Information Technology(DIT) in IT Security, Software Testing & Certification and assignment of National Assurance Framework have further raised the responsibility and expectations from the Directorate.

The particulars of organization, functions and duties have been already provided on the Website having URL http://stqc.nic.in/stqcinfo/about.htm and the organisation chart is enclosed as Annexure I .

(ii) The powers and duties of officers and employees

The Director General has the overall responsibility for the administrative and technical operations and provision of resources. The functional responsibilities and authorities of team leaders of technical operations are given in the Annexure II . They are responsible for implementation of the activities in their respective sections. The responsibilities of employees are assigned through an office order issued by the Director General from time to time. All the officers and employees of STQC Directorate are to perform their respective roles and various rules and procedures laid down by the Government of India.

(iii) The procedure followed in the decision making process, including channels of supervision and accountability

The Director General is the administrative and technical manager / overall in-charge of the STQC Directorate and he takes all vital decisions relating to functions and resources. The different teams perform their respective duties under his overall supervision Annexure II . Each Team works under the supervision of its Team Leader and decisions relating to the activities of the team are taken by the Team Leader to the extent powers are delegated. In other cases, the cases are referred to Director General for decision.

(iv) The norms set by it for discharge of its functions Norms set for discharge of functions are:

· STQC Directorate is an attached office of Department of IT and have no influence from other agencies that affect the quality of service.

· The Directorate is free from commercial or financial pressure from external sources.

· All personnel are to discharge their duties without fear or favour preserving total integrity.

· Protection of client's information and proprietary rights will be ensured by the employees.

· The employees should not engage in any activity directly or indirectly that will endanger the integrity of the Directorate.

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

For Personnel and general administration, financial matters, purchasing and support services, the instructions and records prescribed in various Rules and orders issued by Government of India are followed and maintained by STQC JD(Admin).

(vi) A statement of the categories of documents that are held by it or under its control

The different categories of documents held by STQC Directorate are given in Annexure - III as below :

STQC Administration - JD (STQC Admin)

· Personnel Administration - JD(STQC Pers Admin)

· General Administration - DD(STQCl)

· Financial matters - DFA(STQC)

Technical Services -

· Certification - CEO STQC Certification

· IT Services - CEO STQC IT Services

(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 inputs received from various laboratories in the Performance Review forms a basis of the policy and its implementation.

(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

A Management Review Board consisting of the Director of the lab/centres review the performance of the Centre and take remedial actions as required. The statutory audit is also regularly carried out by the Director of Audit, Scientific Departments. The minutes of this board / audit are not accessible to public. Further remedial actions are taken based on the audit reports.

(ix) A directory of officers and employees

Annexure-IV

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

Annexure-IV

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

Budget allocation received from Department of Information Technology for STQC Directorate for the year 2008-09 and expenditure for the year 2007-08 are at Annexure V & Annexure VI respectively.

(xii) The manner of execution of subsidy programmes, including the amounts allocated and the details of beneficiaries of such programmes

The budget allocation received from Department of Information Technology is used for meeting the administrative and contingency expenditure of the STQC Directorate and its lab/centres in accordance with the procedures laid down in GFR, Receipts & Payments Rules etc. No subsidy programmes are executed by the Centre.

(xiii) Particulars of recipients of concessions, permits or authorizations granted by it

Not applicable.

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

Information about the facilities and services available at / rendered by STQC Directorate are available in STQC web site. ( http://www.stqc.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

Information about the facilities and services available at / rendered by STQC Directorate are available in STQC web site. ( http://www.stqc.nic.in ). Currently STQC Directorate is using DIT Library.

(xvi) Nomination of Public Information Officer and publication of his name, designation and other particulars

DKJ Lakra, Scientist “C” has been appointed as Public Information Officer (RTI) by the DG(STQC).

(xvii) Such other information as may be prescribed

Appellate Authority:
Director General
STQC Directorate
Department of Information Technology
Electronics Niketan, 6 CGO Complex, Lodi Road
New Delhi 110 003.
Ph: (011) 24363089
Fax: (011) 24363083
Email:

Public Information Officer (RTI):
Shri R.D.Choudhari Additional Director
STQC Directorate
New Delhi 110 003.
Ph: (011) 24364776
Email: rd.Choudhari@mit.gov.in

3 Streamlining of the entire process so that each authority follows well-defined procedures, it is expected of the Lab / Centre. It includes channels for collecting information, creating facilities for inspection of documents / taking of samples, fixing level taking decisions etc.

The process is regularly reviewed and updated based on experience and technological advancement by Management Review Board.