Basic infrastructure at
STQC Laboratories / Centres
complying with mandatory provisions of
Right to Information (RTI) Act,2005
(Ref : (i) to (xvii) under clause (b) of subsection 4(1) of RTI Act)

Sl. No. Description of activities

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

The records maintained by STQC Lab/Centres relate to (i) Establishment / house-keeping records and (ii) records on various technical services viz. Calibration and testing, IT services, Training services rendered by the Centre. 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 provisions contained in the Quality Manual of the Centre. Computerization of activities / records in Administration &Accounts has been done wherever feasible. Customer Service records are available in computer database/Job Registers. Customers' data have been properly catalogued and indexed.

2 Publication of the following:

(i) Particulars of organization, functions and duties

The scope of services of STQC Labs/Centres is to provide (i) calibration services, (ii)testing services (iii) counselling and assistance for quality improvement (iv) related education & training services (v) IT services. The Organizational Chart ( Annexure - I ), Process Flow Chart ( Annexure - II ) and functional responsibilities / duties of the respective teams ( Annexure-III & Annexure-IV ) have been clearly defined and are given in the Quality Manual.

(ii) The powers and duties of officers and employees

The Director of the Lab/Centre has the overall responsibility for the technical operations and provision of resources. The functional responsibilities and authorities of team leaders of technical and quality operations are given in respective Quality Manuals of the lab/centres. 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 from time to time. All the officers and employees of STQC Lab / Centres 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 of the STQC Lab / Centres is the technical manager / overall in-charge of the Lab/Centre and he takes all vital decisions relating to functions and resources. The different teams perform their respective duties under his overall supervision. 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 for decision.

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

Norms set for discharge of functions are:

· STQC Lab/Centres are independent organizations and have no influence from other agencies that affect the quality of service.

· The STQC Lab/Centres are 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 Centre.

(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 Technical Services, the norms and standards prescribed by various national and international accreditation authorities like NABL is being followed. For Personnel and general admin istration, financial matters, purchasing and support services, the instructions and records prescribed in various Rules and orders issued by Government of India are followed.

(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 Lab/Centres are given below

STQC Lab Administration - JD (Admin)

· Personnel Administration – DD(Lab/Centre Pers Admin)

· General Administration - AO(STQC Lab/Centre)

· Financial matters - AO(STQC Lab/Centre)

Technical Services -

· Certification – Regional Manager STQC Certification Serices

· IT Services – Management Representative 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

Feedback from the customers are collected at yearly intervals and based on the customer satisfaction index, further actions are taken to implement their suggestions and rectify the deficiencies, if any, in service. A complaints / suggestions register is also maintained for the public to record their views. Public can also approach the Public Grievances Officer regarding deficiencies in service etc.

(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 and all the Team Leaders of the respective lab/centres review the performance of the Centre and take remedial actions as required. The Quality Assurance team conducts periodical audit. The statutory audit is also regularly carried out by the Director of Audit, Scientific Departments, Chennai. 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

Lab / Centrewise List at Annexure-V

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

Lab / Centrewise List at Annexure-V

(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 Lab/Centres for the year 2008-09 and expenditure during year 2007-08 is enclosed as Annexure - VI & Annexure - VII .

(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 IT is used for meeting the admin istrative and contingency expenditure of the 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 respective laboratories are available in STQC web site.

(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

STQC Lab/Centres has its library for internal use only.

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

All Heads of the STQC Lab/Centres has been appointed as Assistant Information Officer (APIO RTI Act) by the DG(STQC) Appellate Authority.

(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 and Quality Assurance .