24. 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 is a country of diversity. It is a hub of different religions, castes and cultures. However, the Indian society is characterized by a highly entrenched system of social stratification. It is these social inequalities that created the barriers of denial of access to materials, cultural and educational resources to the disadvantaged groups of society. These disadvantaged groups are SCs, STs, women, OBC (non-creamy layer), minorities and physically challenged persons. It is clear from the demographic factors that a large section of population of our country is still disadvantaged and marginalized.

Rigid compartmentalized caste system forced SCs to be socially deprived to render services without any claim on returns. The deprivation of dignity, identity and rights resulted in their dehumanization and humiliation. The toils and tears of STs were not very different from those of SCs. The STs were isolated, neglected and exploited. Both SCs and STs continue to suffer from social disabilities even today. Women, victims of the past traditions and customs of the Indian society, were considered to be unequal and inferior. Even today women are being oppressed. Since gender disparity is known to lead to serious social imbalance, it is essential to neutralize these distortions of the past.

The same may be true with some variation in case of the other minorities. The physically challenged persons deserve due place and attention in the demographic setup of the nation. To ensure the same, the Parliament has passed the Act called the Person with Disabilities (Equal opportunities, Protection of Right and Full Participation) Act 1995.

Since higher education is a tool for social and economic equality, the 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.

Aims and Objectives:

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

Composition of the Committee:

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 the disadvantaged and marginalized groups of the society and other related activities undertaken by the college as well as implementation of reservation policy in admission and recruitment for SC, ST, PH, OBC (non-creamy layer) and others, if any.

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 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.


• 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.


• 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.


• The Advisor shall submit the progress/review report to the Principal.

Functions:

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 sections 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 marginalized groups of society.


9. To organize periodic meetings to monitor the progress of different schemes.


10. 10. 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.

Reports :