SC/ST Cell

About

SAMANVAYA - EQUAL OPPORTUNITY CELL

As per the UGC Guidelines for Equal Opportunity Centre for Colleges ‘SAMANVAYA-Equal Opportunity Cell (EOC)’ has been established during the academic year 2016-17 in SGVVT’s Sri Gavisiddeshwar Arts, Science and Commerce College, Koppal to aid and advise the students belonging to marginalized sections including the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Communities (OBCs), minority communities, etc. pursuing various programs of studies at the college. Emphasis to the deprived groups for learning and creating space for them to mainstream themselves will be the job of Equal Opportunity Cell.

Introduction

India, with its rich tapestry of diverse religions, castes, and cultures, is marked by a deeply entrenched system of social stratification. This stratification has historically led to significant barriers for disadvantaged groups, including SCs, STs, women, OBCs (non-creamy layer), minorities, and physically challenged individuals. Despite progress, a substantial portion of the population remains marginalized and disadvantaged.

The rigid caste system has long subjected SCs to social and economic deprivation, stripping them of dignity, identity, and rights. STs have faced similar neglect and exploitation, with both SCs and STs continuing to endure social disabilities. Women, historically seen as inferior due to past traditions, still face oppression today, highlighting the need to address gender disparities.

Other minorities and physically challenged individuals also require greater attention. The Person with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995 was enacted to ensure their rights and inclusion.

Higher education plays a crucial role in promoting social and economic equality. The UGC addresses these national concerns by implementing government policies and promoting schemes designed to improve access and quality for disadvantaged groups, aiming to reduce social disparities.

Aims and Objectives

The terms of reference wherein the “SAMANVAYA-Equal Opportunity Cell” at the College may undertake activities are as follow:

To work out suitable programs, including Soft Skills Training Programme and Personality development program, Competitive Exam Coaching for public Services at various levels, for improving performance of students from marginalized or to monitor the implementation of such programs.
To provide information and act as a counseling-cum-guidance Centre for students belonging to the marginalized sections, especially with regard to academic and other matters.
To help create a socially conducive atmosphere for the growth of healthy inter-personal relations among students from various social backgrounds.
To help develop cordial inter-personal relationships between teachers and the students from marginalized sections for academic interaction and extra-curricular activities.
To extend help/ support to the students from marginalized sections to overcome problems and barriers emanating from discrimination at any level within its mandate.
To organize or conduct seminars/ outreach programmes extension activities, etc. from time-to-time on issues of contemporary significance for empowering, educationally and culturally, students belonging to the various social backgrounds.

Advisory Committee on Welfare and Reservation

Composition of the Committeen

There shall be an Advisory Committee with the Principal as Chairperson and three other members, including an Adviser, to review the implementation of various schemes and programmes for the welfare of disadvantaged and marginalized groups in society. This includes overseeing the implementation of the reservation policy in admissions and recruitment for SC, ST, PH, OBC (non-creamy layer), and other categories as applicable.

Chairperson:	Dr. Channabasava A, Principal
Coordinator:	Dr. Sheshikanth Ummapure
Members:	Dr. Basavaraj Pujar, Associate Professor Dr. Dayanand Salunke, Assistant Professor Kum. Sangeeta, Student Representative

Standard Operating Procedure

The Committee comprises over all of 05members. The Principal as a Chairman, The Senior Faculty member as an Adviser, and ‘Three’ will act as members including Staff and Student Representatives.
The Adviser of the committee will call the meeting by circulating the notice with due permission of the chairman of the committee to discuss and finalize the agenda related to the stated communities.
The Advisor shall submit the progress/review report to the Principal.

The Committee will meet THRICE in an academic year and action taken on decisions is to be reviewed in the subsequent meetings. The Principal shall nominate one of the teachers, who have an innate interest in the welfare of the disadvantaged social groups, as an Adviser.
Convene the meetings of in charge of other Committees/Programmes dealing with social issues such as Prevention of Sexual Harassment Committee (PoSHC), Anti Ragging Committee National Service Schemes (NSS) etc. to review their activities.

Functions

To ensure equity and equal opportunity to the community at large in the college and bring about social inclusion.
To enhance the diversity among the students, teaching and non-teaching staff population and at the same time eliminate the perception of discrimination.
To create a socially congenial atmosphere for academic interaction and for the growth of healthy interpersonal relationships among the students coming from various social backgrounds.
To make efforts to sensitize the academic community regarding the problems associated with social exclusion as well as aspirations of the marginalized communities.
To help individuals or a group of students belonging to the disadvantaged section of society to contain the problems related to discrimination.

To look into the grievances of the weaker sections of society and suggest amicable solution to their problems.
To disseminate the information related to schemes and programmes for the welfare of the socially weaker section as well as notifications/memoranda, office orders of the Government, or other related agencies/organizations issued from time to time.
To prepare barrier free formalities/procedures for admission/ registration of students belonging to the marginalized groups of society.
To organize periodic meetings to monitor the progress of different schemes.
To adopt measures to ensure due share of utilization by SC/ST in admissions, recruitments (teaching and non-teaching posts) and to improve their performances.

The mechanism for redressal of Internal Complaints

Any aggrieved student or women may make a complaint in writing or oral of sexual harassment at collebe to the Internal Committee or Anti Sexual Harassment Committee.
The committee make proper investigation. Both victims and eye witness are not neglected or discriminated or not suffered for their complaints.
Any complaints in writing or oral are documented in complaints register and maintained with confidential.
The cell may recommend the following minor penalties on person found guilty of sexual harassment.

The Anti Sexual Harassment Cell may recommend several minor penalties for individuals found guilty of sexual harassment. These penalties include issuing a warning, which may be given in the presence of the parents if the behavior does not improve. Additionally, the offender may be required to provide a written apology and sign a Bond of Good Behaviour. Other potential actions include debarment from campus and hostel facilities, suspension from attending classes for a specified period, and withholding of results until further review.
The accused will face penalties according to these established norms and will be required to make appropriate apologies. Minor grievances and cases of sexual harassment are addressed by the Anti Sexual Harassment Committee. However, major and complex cases are referred to the management through the Principal for appropriate action against the perpetrators.

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