Right to Information

Right to Information

The Right to Information under the provisions of the RTI Act is available to the citizens of India only. RTI Act is an important legislation designed to promote transparency and accountability in the functioning of public authorities.

The full text of the RTI Act is available on the website: RTI ACT PDF.

The RTI Act also provides for appeals by aggrieved persons to the Central Information Commission of the Government of India.

Indian citizens resident in Bulgaria and North Macedonia may seek information in writing on payment of requisite fee during office hours on working days as per procedure laid down in the RTI Act, 2005.

Information regarding Appellate Authority and Public Information Officer under the RTI Act, 2005.

In pursuance of Section 4 (1) (b) of the RTI Act, 2005, the Embassy of India, Sofia has designated the following officers as the RTI Public Information Officer and RTI Appellate Authority to deal with the RTI applications from Indian nationals and NRIs working and living in Bulgaria and Macedonia :

The particulars of its organization, functions and duties;

Embassy of India is headed by the Ambassador of India. His deputy is an officer of the rank of Second Secretary. The Embassy works interalia, for enhancing political exchanges, economic cooperation, trade and investment promotion, cultural exchanges and consular services including visa, passport etc.

The Embassy of India is accredited to the Republic of Bulgaria with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of North Macedonia.

(ii)

The powers and duties of its officers and employees;

The Officers of the Embassy function under the guidance and supervision of the Ambassador.

The Embassy functions within the purview of business allocated to the Ministry of External Affairs under the Government of India's allocation of business rules and transaction of business rules.

Other powers are derived from the Passport Act Consular and Visa Manuals of India.

(iii)

The procedure followed in the decision making process, including channels of supervision and accountability;

Process of redress of Grievance

Custodian of Documents/ Categories

All substantive decisions are taken under the instructions and overall supervision of the Ambassador.

For grievance related to RTI, please contact Mr. Sandeep Kumar, Attaché & CPIO (Tel: + 359 -2963 5685; Email: cons[dot]sofia[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in) .
If you are not satisfied with CPIO's reply, you may appeal to

the Appellate Authority:- Mrs. Soni Dahiya, HOC (Tel: + 359 -2963 5685; Email: hoc[dot]sofia[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in) .

Custodian of Documents: All administration related documents are kept in custody of the Head of Chancery. The Consular related documents are kept in the custody of Attache( Consular).

(iv)

The norms set by it for the discharge of its functions;

Norms are set under the instruction and supervision of the Ambassador.
Following norms have been set for the discharge of its functions:

Citizens’ Charter Time limits for disposal of Consular and other work

Particulars of Consular Service

Period

Visa for Bulgarian & Macedonian citizens

Generally Next working day

Visa for citizens other than Bulgarians and Macedonians

5 working days

Passport (Issued under the CIPPS)

15-20 days

OCI Card

Around 30 Days

Miscellaneous Consular services (Attestations, Affidavits, Powers of Attorney, etc.) for Indian nationals

Generally same day

Response to RTI Queries

Within 30 days

(v)

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

IFS (PLCA) Rules, as amended from time to time.

Delegated Financial powers of the Government of India’s Representatives Abroad.

Passport Act Consular and Visa Manuals of India. Other Central Government Rules and manuals published by Central Government.

(vi)

A statement of the categories of documents that are held by it or under its control;

Classified documents / files relating to India’s external relations.

Unclassified documents / files including joint statements, declarations, agreements and MoUs.

Passport and consular services application forms.

Miscellaneous documents related to its establishment and housekeeping work.

(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 Embassy functions within the norms of India’s foreign policy formulated by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Policy is implemented by the Embassy under the guidance and supervision of the Ambassador.
Embassy interacts regularly with representatives of think tanks, academic community, Indian Association, Indian Diaspora and others.

(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;

Tender Evaluation Committee:

1. Ms. Soni Dahiya (HOC)
2. Sh Sandeep Kumar, Attaché (Consular)
3. Ms. Sneh Batra, Attaché (PIC)

Committee for Administration of the Indian Community Welfare Fund
:
1. Ms. Soni Dahiya (HOC)
2. Sh Sandeep Kumar, Attaché (Consular)
3. Ms. Sneh Batra, Attache (PIC)

(ix)

(x)

A directory of its officers

Embassy of India, 4 Alfred Nobel Street,Geo Milev, Sofia 1113,Bulgaria Telephones:+359 2 963 56 75/02 963 56 76/02 963 56 77, Fax:+359 2 963 56 86 Email: hoc[dot]sofia[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in, admn[dot]sofia[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in
OFFICERS’ LIST
Name & Designation
Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu Ambassador	Telephone: +359 29635683 Email: amboff[dot]sofia[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in
Ms. Soni Dahiya Second Secretary (HOC/Commerce)	Telephone: +359 29635685 Email: hoc[dot]sofia[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in, com[dot]sofia[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in
Sh. Sandeep Kumar Attache (Consular)	Telephone: +359 28581050 Email: cons[dot]sofia[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in
Ms. Sneh Batra Attache (PIC)	Telephone: +359 29635688 Email: pol[dot]sofia[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in, admn[dot]sofia[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in

Monthly remuneration received by each officers and employee u/s 4(1) (b) (x) of RTI Act

S. No.	Grade/Post	No. of Post	Level of pay in pay Matrix (7th CPC)	Pay scale (IN Rs.)
1.	Ambassador	1	Level : 15/08	67,000-79,000
2.	Second Secretary	1	Level : 11/09	15,600-39,100
3.	Attaché/Section Officer	1	Level : 10/10	15,600-39,100
4.	Attaché/Private Secretary	1	Level : 08/11	9,300-34,800
5.	Personal Assistant	1	Level : 07/08	9,300-34,800
6.	Assistant Section Officer	2	(i) Level : 07/05 (ii) Level : 07/05	9,300-34,800
7.	Security Assistant	2	(i) Level : 04/11 (ii) Level : 01/03	5,200-20,200
8.	Visiting Prof. ICCR (Hindi) Chair	1	Level : 14/09	37,400-67,000

(xi)

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

annexure III

Details of Tour

Chancery Budget Budget Allocation and utilization during Financial Year 2023-24, 2024-25 & 2025-26 :
Budget allocation during FY 2023-24 (FE) (Rs. in crores only)	INR : 7.03
Expenditure during FY 2023-24 (Rs. in crores only)	INR : 7.05

Budget allocation during FY 2024-25 (FE) (Rs. in crores only)	INR : 7.49
Expenditure during FY 2024-25 (Rs. in crores only)	INR : 7.51
Budget allocation during FY 2025-26 (BE) (Rs. in crores only)	INR : 6.55
Expenditure during FY 2025-26 (Rs. in crores only)

Commerce Budget Budget allocation and utilization during Financial Year 2023-24, 2024-25 & 2025-26:
Budget allocation during FY 2023-24 (FE) (Rs. in crores only)	INR : 1.59
Expenditure during FY 2023-24 (Rs. in crores only)	INR : 1.59

Budget allocation during FY 2024-25 (FE) (Rs. in crores only)	INR : 1.65
Expenditure during FY 2024-25 (Rs. in crores only)	INR : 2.00
Budget allocation during FY 2025-26 (BE) (Rs. in crores only)	INR : 1.81
Expenditure during FY 2025-26 (Rs. in crores only)

(xii)

The manner of execution of subsidy programmes, including the amounts allocated and the details of beneficiaries of such programmes;

Embassy of India, Sofia does not have any subsidy programme.

(xiii)

Particulars of recipients of concessions, permits or authorizations granted by it;

No concessions / permits are granted by Embassy of India.

(xiv)

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

The Embassy’s website has the required information. Embassy also makes available to interested individuals information on India, its people, culture, trade and investment.

(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;

Appellate Authority:-
Mrs. Soni Dahiya,
HOC & AA,
Telephone: +359 29635683
Email: amboff[dot]sofia[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in

Central Public Information Officer:-
Mr. Sandeep Kumar,
Attaché & CPIO,
Telephone: +359-29635685,
Email: hoc[dot]sofia[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in
annexure I

annexure 2

FAA order (1)

Third party audit

(xvi)

The names, designations and other particulars of the Public Information Officers;

(xvii)

Such other information as may be prescribed and thereafter update these publications every year

The Embassy’s website has this information

(xviii) ORGANIZATION CHART

(xix) India establishment diplomatic relations with Bulgaria in 1954

Given below name of Ambassador/HOMs since June 1970

1	Dr. Gopal Singh	June 1970	November 1972
2	Shri K. P. Lukose	May 1973	May, 1975
3	Shri J. R. Hiremath	November 1975	July 1977
4	Shri S. H. Desai	November 1977	May 1980
5	Shri B. Deva Rao	June 1980	February 1985
6	Shri S. S. Nath	June 1985	July 1987
7	Shri Girish Dhume	February 1989	February 1993
8	Shri B. P. Agarwal	July 1993	September 1994
9	Shri Nirupam Sen	March 1995	August 1999
10	Smt Nilima Mitra	October 1999	February 2003
11	Shri Dinkar Khullar	February 2003	July 2006
12	Shri Lal Dingliana	July 2006	September 2009
13	Shri Divyabh Manchanda	October 2009	August 2014
14	Shri Rajesh K. Sachdeva	September 2014	March 2017
15	Ms. Pooja Kapur	July 2017	February 2021
16	Shri Sanjay Rana	March 2021	December 24