College Committees

• Research Advisory Council Chaired by Principal Dr. Chandrakant S. Suryawanshi
• Director, Research and Development Cell: (Convener): Dr. Tukaram B. Mhamane

1. Committee: Finance and Infrastructure

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2. Committee: Research Program and Policy Development

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3. Committee: Collaboration and Community

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4. Committee: Product Development, Monitoring and Commercialization

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5. Committee: IPR, Legal and Ethical Matters

Introduction

We live in a country with a variety of diversity of ethnic, linguistic, regional, economic, religious, class and castes groups and is also permeated with immense differences and equalities that needs to be recognized and valued individual differences in the learning environment. The employees and students must be treated equally and given the same opportunity regardless of their race, age, gender, disability that might be discriminated against them.

Vision

To ensure equality of opportunity in education and create a campus environment that respects and values diversity.

Aims and Objectives

1. Promote fair representation and support for SC, ST, OBC, minority, and differently abled students.
2. Provide a transparent grievance redressal system for marginalized communities.
3. Safeguard the rights and welfare of disadvantaged groups.
4. Offer guidance and counselling on academic, financial, and social issues.
5. Ensure proper implementation of inclusion-related government and institutional policies.

Primary Functions

As per UGC Guidelines (letter dated 26th January 2016), the Equal Opportunity Cell is responsible for:

1. Sensitization and Awareness:
   • Create awareness of the challenges faced by marginalized groups and encourage inclusion within the campus.
2. Monitoring of Schemes:
   • Track and support the implementation of government and institutional welfare schemes.
3. Functioning of SC/ST Cell:
   • Ensure the effective operation of the SC/ST Cell as mandated.
4. Gender Sensitization:
   • Promote gender equity and encourage participation in social initiatives like NSS.
5. Support Services:
   • Provide advice and assistance to students from disadvantaged communities in both academic and personal spheres.

Composition of Cell

Preamble

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have been identified as the two most backward groups of Indian Society. They include all such castes, races or tribes, which have been declared as scheduled castes and scheduled tribes by the Constitution of India under the provisions of Article 341 and 342 of the Constitution of India. Scheduled Castes generally represent those communities, which have suffered from the stigma of untouchability in one form or the other. Scheduled Tribes are generally those who have been living in seclusion in hills and forests, more or less untouched by modern civilization and development. Scheduled Castes constitute about 15 per cent of the total population of the country while Scheduled Tribes constitute about 7.5 per cent of the total Indian Population. Thus, together, these groups constitute a little more than one fifth of the total population of the country. When India became independent, it committed itself to a socially just and equal social order. The Constitution of the country, promulgated in 1950, recognizes the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes as the two most backward groups needing special protection. A number of provisions have been made in the Constitution with a view to abolish all forms of discrimination and put these groups at par with others. Specific provisions for the reservation in services, in favour of the members of the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, have been made in the Constitution of India are as follows: Article 16(4) - Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment - Nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from making any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class or citizens, which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State. As per article 335, the claims of the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes shall be taken into consideration, consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration, in the making of appointments to services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or State. The main objective of providing reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Government services is not just to give jobs to some persons belonging to these communities, and thereby increase their representations in the services, but to improve the status of these people socially and educationally so that they can take their rightful place in the mainstream of society. Xth Plan profile of Higher Education in India under Para 10.B2 states as under: “To ensure the effective implementation of the reservation policy in admission, recruitment, allotment of staff quarters, Hostels etc. SC/ST Cells are established in the Universities.” The Commission is providing financial assistance to the Universities for the establishment of Special Cell for SC/STs. The purpose of these Cells is to help the universities in implementing the reservation policy with regard to 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. Such SC/ST Cells have already been set up in 109 universities up to the end of Ninth Plan

Composition

• The Standing Committee shall consist of a Chairman, who will be the Principal of the college.
• The Standing Committee shall consist of a Co-Ordinator from the SC/ST category.
• The Standing Committee must contain one representative from women.
• The Standing Committee must include one non-teaching representative from the SC/ST category.

Objectives

• To implement the reservation policy for SCs/STs in the College.
• To collect data regarding the implementation of the policies in respect of admissions, appointments to teaching and non-teaching positions in the college.
• 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 and evaluate continuously the reservation policy in the institution and plan measures for ensuring effective implementation of the policy and programme of the Government of India.

Functions of the Standing Committee/Special Cell

• To circulate Government of India and Commission's decisions and to collect regularly, on an annual basis, information regarding course-wise admissions to candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the College for different courses, in forms prescribed, by a stipulated date, and to take follow-up action, where required.
• To circulate Government of India orders and Commission's decisions and to collect information in respect of appointment, training of these communities in teaching and non-teaching posts in the College, in suitable forms by a stipulated date and take follow-up action where required.
• To collect reports and information regarding the Government of India orders on the various aspects of education, training and employment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes candidates, for evolving new policies or modifying existing policy by the Commission.
• To analyze the information collected above and prepare reports and digests for onward transmission to the Ministry of Human Resource Development/University Grants Commission and such other authorities as may be required.
• To deal with representations received from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes candidates regarding their admission, recruitment, promotion and other similar matters in Universities/Colleges.
• To monitor the working of the remedial coaching scheme for SC/ST students.
• To function as a Grievances Redressal Cell for the grievances of SC/ST students and employees of the institute and render them necessary help in solving their academic as well as administrative problems.
• To maintain a register for employment of SCs/STs in the College for the candidates belonging to SC/ST communities for various posts in the college.
• Any other work assigned from time to time to promote higher education among these two communities suffering economic, social, and educational deprivations.