Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anushandhan Sansthan, Almora

(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)

 

1 The particulars of its organization, functions and duties
2 The powers and duties of its officers and employees
3 The procedure followed in the decision making process, including channels of supervision and accountability
4 The norms set by it for the discharge of its functions
5 The rules, regulations, instructions manuals and records, held by it or under its control or used by its employees for discharging its functions
6 A statement of the categories of documents that are held by it or under its control
7 The particulars of any arrangements that exists for consultation with, or representation by the members of the public in relation to the formulation of its policy or implementation thereof
8 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.
9 A directory of its officers and employees;
10 The monthly remuneration received by each of its officers and employees, including the system of compensation' s provided in its regulations;
11 The budget allocated to each of its agency, indicating the particulars of all plans, proposed expenditures and reports on disbursements made;
12 The manner of execution of subsidy programmes, including the amounts allocated and the details of beneficiaries of such programmes;
13 Particulars of recipients of concessions, permits or authorizations granted by it
14 Details in respect of the information, available to or held by it, reduced in an electronic form;
15 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;
16 The names, designations and other particulars of the Public Information Officers.
17

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

 

1

The particulars of its organization, functions and duties

Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan (VPKAS), Almora, which was established by Professor Boshi Sen in 1924, became a constituent institute of ICAR in 1974. This is a pioneer Institute to cater to the agricultural research needs for the development of north-western Himalayan states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. After traversing a long period of existence under ICAR, the institute has developed considerable research infrastructure and established itself competent enough to provide basic and strategic research support for the agricultural development of north-western Himalaya. Being a multi-crop and multi-disciplinary research Institute, the research work is being carried out under five divisions/sections, viz., Crop Improvement Division, Crop Production Division, Natural Resource Management and Farmers’ Services Section, Crop Protection Section and Social Sciences Section.

Mission

Enhancing the productivity and ecological sustainability of hill agriculture through niche-based diversification
Mandate
a Research on sustainable agricultural technology for N-W Himalaya including crop improvement and resource and pest management.
b Basic and strategic research on important hill crops including indigenous germplasm conservation.
c Research on high value crops utilizing niche potential of hills.
d Research on management of range and degraded lands in hills for forage production.
e Socio-economic research recognizing the role of women in farm level enterprises.
f Development of farming system models using traditional wisdom of farming community.

Thrust Area of Research

a Development of hybrids in selected crops likes maize, onion, tomato and capsicum.
b Widening of genetic base in different crop such as winter x spring in wheat, indica x japonica in rice, temperate x sub-tropical in maize and other crops.
c Breeding off-season vegetable crops.
d Breeding for high yield and nutritional quality in under utilized crop such as buckwheat and amaranth.
e Research on marker aided selection for quality protein and turcicum blight resistance in maize, blast resistance in rice and on production of transgenics for enhanced starch content in selected crops.
f Identification of photosynthetically efficient cold and moisture stress tolerant genotypes for rainfed hill ecology in wheat and rice.
g  Screening of small millet genotypes for photosynthetic efficiency under rainfed condition.
h  Integrated plant nutrient supply system for major crops and vegetables.
i Integrated weed management with special reference to non-chemical technology.
j Water production function for various crops and cropping systems.
k  Development of biopesticides.
l Organic farming/ waste management.
m Development of low input technology for different micro-farming system of hills.
n Development of agro-techniques and identification of suitable agro-forestry systems for maximizing forage production under different land site condition.
o Studies on dynamics of agricultural system, investment Pattern, resource use efficiency and diversification of hill agriculture.
p Training women farmers, farm youths and NGOs.
   
Organizational Structure of VPKAS
   
On going  Programme/Projects
Infrastructure and Logistics
 

Administrative Block & Boshi Sen Committee Room

  Library & Conference Hall
  Biotechnology Lab
  Chemistry/Soil Lab
  Pathology Lab
  Entomology Lab
  ARIS Cell
  VSATs
  Guest House
  Farmers’s Hostel
  Residential quarters

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2 The powers and duties of its officers and employees
 

VPKAS is a Unit of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).  Director of the institute shall exercise such powers for their functioning as are delegated by the Governing Body or any authority of the ICAR.  Powers are delegated to the Director vide ICAR letter No. F. 11(4)/75-Cdn (A&A) dated 1.4.1977 and modified vide order No. 6-2/90-Cdn (A&A) dated 4.2.1993, 28.5.1993 and 23.9.1994, OO No. 6-3/92-Cdn (A&A) dated 28.7.1992.

Heads of Divisions are delegated powers as per OO No. 6(1)/95-Cdn (A&A) dated 21.11.1995 and 21.5.1996.

  Duties of Heads of Divisions/Sections
 

To guide, lead, and coordinate research activities of the concern division

To facilitate in bringing about inter-institutional linkages and collaboration

To carry out duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Director of the institute or any authority delegated power in this regard

 

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

The Director is assisted in the execution and implementation of various programmes by  five Division Heads, Assistant Administrative Officer, and Assistant Finance and Accounts Officer. The institute organized into five functional divisions, viz., Crop Improvement, Crop Production, Natural Resources Management, Crop Protection, Social Sciences. The Administration and Finance Sections of the institute provide the needed support. The Institute Management Committee (IMC) guides and supports the Director by periodic review of programmes and approval of investments in new areas of research and  training programmes.   The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) and Staff Research Council (SRC) provide broad guidelines and assist in developing and implementing specific research programmes and projects. The organogram of the institute, provided in section (i) on “The particulars of organization, functions, and duties of the VPKAS” indicates the channels of supervision.

 

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

The norms are set by the ICAR Headquarters, New Delhi.  The various functions carried out by the institute are indicated in the section (1)

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

VPKAS is a Unit of ICAR, New Delhi.  ICAR follows GOI rules mutatis mutandis, besides Agricultural Research Service rules, Technical Service Rules specially designed for Scientists and Technical personnel in ICAR.  The institute follows the rules, regulation, and instructions as followed by ICAR, and as indicated in the manuals and records of ICAR, New Delhi.

 

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

Service books

Purchase related documents

Copies of all administrative orders
EFC

RAC proceedings

SRC proceedings

IMC proceedings
Vision 2020
Annual Report

Technical bulletins

Extension literature

 

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7

The particulars of any arrangements 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 institute is guided and supported by Institute Management Committee (IMC) and Research Advisory Committee (RAC). 

Both the IMC and RAC have two members in its composition who are drawn from the public, who take active part in the deliberations and decisions of these committees.

The IMC guides and supports the institute by periodic review of programmes and approval of investments in new areas of research and training programmes.   The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) and Staff Research Council (SRC) provide broad guidelines and assist in developing and implementing specific research programmes and projects.

 

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8 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.
 

The IMC, RAC, and SRC are the committees, which help the institute in guiding and implementing its various programmes and activities. 

The Composition of these committees is as per the guidelines of ICAR Headquarters, New Delhi.

The proceedings of RAC, SRC, IMC are available.

 

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9 A directory of its officers and employees;
10 The monthly remuneration received by each of its officers and employees, including the system of compensation' s provided in its regulations
  Remunerations as per the pay scales
   
11 The budget allocated to each of its agency, indicating the particulars of all plans, proposed expenditures and reports on disbursements made;
          Expenditure during 2005-06
  S. No. Head of account Rs in Lakhs)
1 Non-Plan 529.46
2 Plan 209.0
3 Total X  Plan Allocation (Plan) 995.0
 

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12 The manner of execution of subsidy programmes, including the amounts allocated and the details of beneficiaries of such programmes;
  Not applicable
 

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

Not applicable

 

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

VPKAS Internet Web

About VPKAS

Mandate

Mandate Area

Organizational Setup

Headquarters

Experimental Farms

Current Projects

Accomplishment

Release Varieties

Staff

Institute Publication

Latest Summary Research Report

Tenders

Contact us

Publications

Annual Reports

Books

Expert Review

ICAR Publications

Research Paper

Technical Bulletin

News Letter

Vision 2025

Extension literature

 

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15 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;

The information about the various details of the institute are put up on the VPKAS
website, http://vpkas.nic.in/

This information, put up on the web, is accessible to the public.

The library of the institute is kept open from 10.00 hrs to 17:00 hrs. 

 

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16 The names, designations and other particulars of the Public Information Officers.
Dr. J.K. Bisht
Public Information Officer
VPKAS, Almora -263601
Uttarakhand
Phone : 05962 –230060, 237217,230278,  Ext- 5103
E-mail: vpkas@nic.in   
Mr Mahesh Lal
AO & Astt. Information Officer
VPKAS, Almora -263601
Uttarakhand
Phone : 05962 –230060, 237217,230278,  Ext- 5111
E-mail: vpkas@nic.in
 

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17 Such other information as may be prescribed and thereafter update these publications every year;
  Mode of seeking information
 

How to access information

Request to be made in writing or electronics form to the PIO or APIO in the application form which can be downloaded.  Click here

No reason to be given by applicant for requesting the information

No personal details except that necessary to contact the applicant

Application Process

The relevant provisions of the Act towards charging fee are as under:

1. A request for obtaining information shall be accompanied by an application fee of Rs.10.00 by way of cash against proper receipt or by demand draft in the name of the 'The ICAR Unit A/c VPKAS, State Bank of India, Almora payable at Almora.  For providing the information  the fee shall be charged by way of cash against proper receipt or by Demand draft at following rates:

a) Rs.2.00 for each page (in A4/A3 size paper) created or copied
b) Actual charge or cost price of a copy in larger size paper.
c) Actual cost or price for samples or models; and
d) For inspection of records, no fee for first hour; and a fee of Rupees 5.00 for each  fifteen minutes (or fraction thereof) thereafter.

e) For information in diskette/floppy a fees of Rs 50.00 per diskette/floppy will be charged

Time limit for supply of information

Within 30 days on payment of fees

Within 48 hours if information concerns life or liberty of a person

Exemption from payment of fees

No fee to be collected from person who are of below poverty line

Application should prove by way of a certificate/document that he belongs to BPL

No fee if the Public Authority fails to comply with the time limits

   
 

The payment is required to be despatched to: Public Information Officer / APIO, VPKAS, Almora

  Dr. J.K. Bisht
Public Information Officer
VPKAS, Almora -263601
Uttarakhand
Phone : 05962 –230060, 237217,230278,  Ext- 5103
E-mail: vpkas@nic.in   
Mr Mahesh Lal
AO & Astt. Public Information Officer
VPKAS, Almora -263601
Uttarakhand
Phone : 05962 –230060, 237217,230278,  Ext- 5111
E-mail: vpkas@nic.in

 

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