ST/SC and Equal Opportunity Cell

The Equal Opportunity Cell at Rayburn College was established under the UGC XIIth Plan period, as per Syndicate Resolution No. 5 dated 24^th January 2011.

Higher education is a tool for social and economic equality, UGC has been addressing national concerns of access, equality, while ensuring the standard of quality and relevance of education by implementing policies of the Government of India and promoting several schemes and programmes for the disadvantaged groups that would help in eliminating social disparities.  “India is potentially rich in human resources. To harvest the same and make the present education system inclusive, the degree of democratization of higher education has to be increased to a large extent. Further colleges should become more responsive to the needs and constraints of the disadvantaged social groups. Therefore, the UGC has planned to establish Equal Opportunity Cell (EOC) in colleges/Universities”.

The Broad aims and objectives of EOC are:

“To oversee the effective implementation of policies and programmes for disadvantaged groups, to provide guidance and counselling with respect to academic, financial, social and other matters and to enhance the diversity within the campus.” (UGC Guidelines for Scheme of Equal Opportunity Centre for Colleges, XII Plan (2012-2017), p.1).

Functions of EOC as stated in the EOC guidelines:

1. To ensure equity and equal opportunity to the community at large in the college and bring about social inclusion.
2. To enhance the diversity among the students, teaching and non-teaching staff population and at the same time eliminate the perception of discrimination.
3. 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.
4. To make efforts to sensitize the academic community regarding the problems associated with social exclusion as well as aspirations of the marginalized communities.
5. To help individuals or a group of students belonging to the disadvantaged section of society to contain the problems related to discrimination.
6. To look into the grievances of the weaker section of society and suggest amicable solution to their problems.
7. 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.
8. To prepare barrier free formalities/procedures for admission/ registration of students belonging to the disadvantaged groups of society.
9. To establish coordination with the Government and other agencies/organizations to mobilize academic and financial resources to provide assistance to students of the disadvantaged groups.
10. To organize periodic meetings to monitor the progress of different schemes.
11. 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.
12. To sensitize the college on the problems of SC/ST and other disadvantaged groups.

ST/SC Committee

As per the provisions laid down by The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and the Notification No. GSR – 316 (E) by the Ministry of Welfare, New Delhi dated 31/03/1995, and as per the UGC Directives to be adhered and followed by Higher Educational Institutions in this regard, an SC/ST/OBC & PWD Committee was formed in the year 2020 to look after the general welfare of the concerned students with regards to scholarships, admission procedures and other miscellaneous affairs.

Constitutional Safeguards and Legislation For SCs/STs

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.

Objectives:

1. To implement, monitor and evaluate the reservation policy in the college;
2. To ensure effective implementation of policies and programmes/schemes for the ST/SC students, at State and Central level, if any;
3. To create and maintain safe, healthy and supportive environment for ST/SC students in the campus;
4. To address the issues of ST/SC students and ensure the prevention of any atrocities against them;
5. To provide special inputs into the areas where the students experience difficulties of any kind.

Composition:

Convenor:
Dr. Niangpi Guite, Asst. Professor, Geography Dept.

Member:
Immanuel Malsawmlien, Asst. Professor, Physics Dept.
Paokhothang Kipgen, Asst. Professor, Physics Dept.
Isaac Chungthanglien, Asst. Professor, Mathematics Dept.
Nancy Mangngaihlun, Asst. Professor, Botany Dept.
Niangsialching, Asst. Professor, Zoology Dept.
Grace Chinghoihnuam, Asst. Professor, Botany Dept.