EQUAL OPPORTUNITY CELL (EOC) |
UGC has extended the Services of SC/ST cell to OBC, minority, disabled students and socio economically disadvantaged groups the Equal Opportunity Cell was established in Our University under UGC XIIth plan period vide Syndicate Resolution No.5 Dtd.24.1.2011 with an objective to address the issue related to the students belonging to Scheduled Cast and Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Class andMinorities and the Persons with disabilities (PWDs) on a Continual basis and empower the persons with disabilities and the students to participate fully in the academic,Intellectual,Social and Cultural life of University on equal basis. |
| The Functions and Responsibilities of the EOC :- |
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- The office of the EOC will coordinate all the programmes of various agencies and Governments running in the University which aim to ensure equality for different marginalized sections of the society.
- The EOC will compile all the relevant information about students and teaching staff that belong to the marginalized section of the society.
- The EOC will work as a grievance redressal office for the members belonging to minority, PoW, SC/ST and women.
- The Director, EOC will ensure representation of different marginalized sections as provided by the constitution and fair treatment in all spheres of the University.
- The EOC will be responsible for the faithful observance of the policies and guidelines of the Central Government, State Governments and University Grants Commission (U.G.C.) regarding the welfare of the marginalized section of the society.
- The EOC, through various means will sensitize the people regarding special need of the Differently able, SC, ST, OBC minorities and women.
- The EOC will hold awareness programmes regarding the special needs of different sections at the beginning of the academic session in the University and various hall of residences.
- The EOC will seek support and co-ordinate with different individuals/organizations engaged in the welfare of marginalized sections of the society.
- The EOC will be a nodal office for the utilization of grants received from the various sources for the welfare of the marginalized section of the society in the University.
- The EOC will make reports and grant proposals for the welfare of marginalized section of the society for different funding agencies and forward them after the approval of the Vice-Chancellor.
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Activities of Equal Opportunity Cell |
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- In order to enhance the professionalism of the Engineering Students, Seminars on “Professional Practices” were conducted.
- To conduct Remedial coaching classes.
- To monitor the functions of a faculty level EOC.
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SC/ST Cell |
| Establishment of the SC/ST Cell |
The University Grants Commission ( UGC ) has given priority to the downtrodden students and staffs during IX plan period and gave direction to all the universities to establish SC/ST Cell. The SC/ST Cell was constituted in the year 2000 at Annamalai University. After the establishment of the Cell in the University, it specifically concentrates on the welfare of the SC/ST students and staff. The main aim of the Cell is to monitor the guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission from time to time, based on the policies of the Government of India and the Government of Tamilnadu related to the reservation of seats for SC/ST in the university admissions to students in various courses of studies, accommodation in the hostels, appointments to the teaching and non-teaching posts and allotment of quarters. The Cell ensures effective implementation of the reservation policies, establishment of Book Bank in the Universityand maintenance of employment register in favour of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the University. |
| UGC Guidelines for the establishment of the SC/ST Cell |
According to the 1998 UGC Guidelines for the establishment of Special Cell for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for the Universities and deemed Universities, the purpose of these Cells is to monitor the admission of students and the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff at various levels. Its function is also to help the SC/ST categories to integrate with the mainstream of the University community and to remove difficulties, which they may be experiencing.
Objectives
According to the UGC Guidelines of 1988, the following are the objectives of the Cell
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- To implement the reservation policy for SCs/STs in the University; Collect data regarding the implementation of the policies in respect of admissions, appointments to teaching and non-teaching positions in the University,and analysis of the data showing the trends and changes towards fulfilling the required quota
- To take such follow up measures for achieving the objectives and targets laid down for the purpose by the Government of India and the UGC
- To implement, monitor continuously and evaluate the reservation policy in the Universityand plan measures for ensuring effective implementation of the policy and programmers of the Government of India.
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| Functioning of SC/ST Cell |
Activities of SC/ST Cell |
The SC/ST Cell was established in the university to co-ordinate with the university authorities in the implementation of the various policies and programmes launched by the State Government and the UGC for the benefit of the SC/ST students.
It also undertakes the activities to develop awareness among the SC/ST students, especially from the rural areas. The staffs of the Cell are actively engaged in coordinating and solving the problems in matters of admissions. They also announce details of government scholarships and fellowships through circulars to the SC/ST students. The Cell concentrates on accommodation of men and women students in hostels, and the implementation of the rules of reservation in appointments as well as in the allotment of quarters to SC/ST employees |
| The SC/ST Cell is monitoring the following activities of the University |
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- The SC/ST Cell is giving wide publicity through circulars to all the faculties and informs the students about the various scholarships; namely, Post-Metric Scholarship, Tamilnadu Higher Education Special Scholarship, Meritorious Scholarship, P.G. Women Scholarship, Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship, P.G. Scholarship for professional courses, ICMR, CSIR, and other scholarships, and fellowships
- The SC/ST Cell has taken up the problems of the SC/ST students and employees with the university authorities and has solved some of them amicably. The cell, in the ultimate analysis, has been a user friendly counsellor to all SC/ST employees and students
- The SC/ST Cell is also helping the SC/ST Research Scholars in getting the University Fellowship from the university and the government
- The Cell is implementing various schemes of the University Grants Commission with the objective to improve the learning levels of Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe candidates to bring them up to the general level of the other communities.
- The University is providing statistical information periodically and promptly on all aspects to the Government of India, and the Tamilnadu State Government.
- The SC/ST Cell provides guidance to various University Committees in respect of promotions/recruitment for the latest rule position concerning SC/ST reservations.
- The Cell takes due care in establishing the Book Bank and Book Grants for the SC/ST students of the professional courses in the university.
- The Cell also advises the students to utilise the facilities of the Book Bank and to borrow books depending on availability.
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Special Activities of the SC/ST Cell |
The SC/ST Cell monitors the functioning of remedial coaching programmes for SC/ST students. The aim of this programme is to improve the performance of those students in bringing them to the general level of competency. Competent and interested Professors are engaged for this purpose, and they are paid honorarium as stipulated by the University Grants Commission.
The SC/ST Cell monitors the UGC/NET/SLET Coaching programme for the SC/ST students. The coaching is conducted during the evenings and weekend holidays.
The SC/ST Cell is monitoring the conduct of classes for entry in services for SC/ST students. These classes have also been started since 2007 under the UGC XI Plan.
The SC/ST Cell celebrates the birth anniversary and observe the Maha Parinirvana Diwas day of Dr.Ambedkar since 2013.
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Grievance Redressal |
The SC/ST students and Employees can approach the Coordinator of the Cell for redress any of their grievance(s) regarding academic, administrative or social problems. The Coordinator often meets the concerned studentsand staff, to understand their problem and takes necessary action and/or render them necessary advice/help to resolve the matter. |
Duties of the Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator for SC/ST CELL |
The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Cell was established at the university as per Government of India and UGC directives in the year 2000. The Coordinator, on behalf of the Cell, facilitates the overall welfare of the students, staff, and faculty belonging to these communities. However, the responsibilities of the Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator are briefly stated below:- |
Students: The Coordinator, on behalf of the Cell organizes periodical meeting of SC/ST candidates to help them to understand the facilities available in the university campus. Various coaching classes are to be conducted like Remedical coaching, personality development, NET coaching and presentation skills, and so on. Interactive sessions and informal meetings with students are also conducted to help them deal with personal, social, and academic problems.
Faculty and Staff: The Coordinator ensures due compliance of the orders of reservation issued from time to time in favour of SC/STs. He also looks after the prompt disposal of the grievances of the employees of these categories. Some of the duties of the Coordinator are:- |
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- To ensure due compliance by the subordinate authorities with the reservation orders and other benefits admissible to SC/STs.
- To scrutinize and ensure prompt submission of the prescribed annual statements by the Appointing Authorities to the University and consolidation of the annual statements and sending such consolidated statements to the UGC.
- To scrutinize properly all proposals for de-reservation and to certify after due satisfaction that such de-reservations are inevitable and that all steps prescribed in this regard have been faithfully taken.
- To liaise between the university authorities and the government for supply of required information, answering queries, and clearing doubts./li>
- To conduct an annual inspection of the rosters maintained, keeping a record of such inspection.
- To extend necessary assistance to the Commissioner for SCs/STs in the discharge of his duties.
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Constitutional Safeguards and Legislation For SCs/STs
Constitutional Safeguards |
According to the Constitution of India, which resolved India into a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic, Right to Equality is a Fundamental Right that includes the right to equality before law; Prohibition of discrimination (Article 15); equality of opportunities in matters of public employment (Article 16). The Constitution further specifies that this will not prevent the state from making special provisions for women, Children, Scheduled castes, and Scheduled tribes. Article 17 declares abolition of untouchability, forbidding its practice in any form.
The Directive Principles of State Policy of the constitution include promotion of educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other weaker sections (Article 46). The Hindu religious institutions of public character are thrown open to all classes and sections of Hindus (Article 25b). Any disability, liability, restriction of conditions with regard to access to shops, Public restaurants, hotels, and places of public entertainment or use of wells, tanks, bathing ghats, roads, and places of public resort maintained wholly or partly out of state funds or dedicated to the use of general Public are removed according to Article 15(2). Article 16 and 355 permit the states to make reservation for backward classes in public services in case of inadequate representation.
Tribal advisory councils and separate departments are set up in states to promote the welfare and safeguard the interests of the Tribals (Article 164 and 338 and Fifth Scheduled). Article 244 and Fifth and Sixth Schedules make special provision for administration and control of scheduled and tribal areas.
The Reservation Policy is a Constitutional device in the creation of a society of equals. It is an exception to the principle of equality, as the principle of equality operates within the equals and to equate equals, with unequals is to perpetuate inequality. Reservation for SCs and STs is founded upon the ideology of compensatory justice for their sufferings for ages for no fault of theirs. The quota of reservation has been decided by the Constitution in accordance with the percentage of the population of SCs and STs, being 15% and 7.5%, respectively. |
Legislation |
The Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955 (earlier Untouchability Offences Act, 1955), which is in force since 1976, provides for penalties for preventing any person on grounds of untouchability, from enjoying the rights accruing on account of abolition of untouchability.
The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989 specifies the offences which are considered as atrocities and provides for deterrent punishments of commission of the same. Comprehensive Rules prepared under this Act provide for relief and rehabilitation of the affected persons and envisage preventive measures.
By virtue of the Constitution (65th Amendment) Act of 1990, the Special Post under Article 338 of the Constitution has been substituted by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, mainly to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards to SCs/STs under the Constitution and laws. |
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ENABLING UNIT
In consonance with the XIth Plan guidelines of the University Grants Commission, Annamalai university has established an Enabling Unit. The Unit has been set up as per UGC policy received vide letter No. F.N. 6-1/2014 (SCT).
Objectives of the Enabling Unit
The main objective of this Enabling Unit is to develop awareness in higher education system and also to provide necessary guidance and counseling to differently abled persons and to generate legal awareness on disability issues. The Unit is a congregation of legal minds who are especially sensitized to the need to focus on how the power of law can be used to counter the stereotypes and prejudices towards persons with disability. The Unit aims to pursue the cause throughout the year and make efforts to foster opportunities for the differently abled persons, so that the real stakeholders are benefitted. The Enabling Unit aim of creating an empowering legal discourse on disability rights with active participation of persons with disabilities, through the medium of research, training, discussion and consultation.
The major functions of the Enabling Unit are as follows: |
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- To provide counselling to differently-abled students on the types of courses they could study at the higher education institutions.
- To ensure admission of as many differently-abled students as possible through the open quota and also through the reservation meant for them.
- To gather orders dealing with fee concessions, examination procedures, reservation policies, etc., pertaining to differently-abled persons.
- To assess the educational needs of differently abled persons enrolled in the higher education institutes to determine the types of assistive devices to be procured.
- To conduct awareness programmes for teachers of the institute about the approaches to teaching, evaluation procedures, etc, which they should address in the case of differently-abled students.
- To study the aptitude of differently-abled students and assist them in getting appropriate employment when desired by them after their studies.
- To celebrate important days pertaining to disability such as the World Disabled Day, White Cane Day, etc., in the institute and also in the neighbourhood in order to create awareness about the capabilities of differently-abled persons.
- To ensure maintenance of special assistive devices procured by the higher education institute under the Higher Education for Persons with Special Needs (HEPSN) scheme and encourage differently-abled persons to use them for enriching their learning experiences.
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EQUAL OPPORTUNITY CELL & SC/ST CELL
