SC/ST Cell BCKV

Introduction

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. The Commission is providing financial assistance to the Universities for the establishment of Special Cell for SC/STs during IX plan period and given direction to all the universities. 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. The main aim of the Cell is to monitor the guidelines issued by the MHRD, the University Grants Commission and by the government of West Bengal from time to time. The Cell ensures the effective implementation of the reservation policies 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, establishment of Book Bank in the university, and maintenance of roster register in the University.

SC/ST Welfare Committee

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 staffs 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;

1. To implement the reservation policy for SCs/STs in the Universities.
2. To collect data regarding the implementation of the policies in respect of admissions, appointments to teaching and non-teaching positions in the universities, and in the affiliating colleges and analyse the data showing the trends and changes towards fulfilling the required quota.
3. To take such follow up measures for achieving the objectives and targets laid down for the purpose by the Government of India, HMRD and the UGC.
4. To implement, monitor and evaluate continuously the reservation policy in universities and colleges and plan measures for ensuring effective implementation of the policy and programme of the Government of India.

Functioning of SC/ST Cell

1. 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 Universities and Colleges for different courses, in forms prescribed, by a stipulated date, and to take follow up action, where required.

2. 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 Universities and Colleges, in suitable forms by a stipulated date and take follow up action where required.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. To deal with representations received from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes candidates regarding their admission, recruitment, promotion and other similar matters in Universities/Colleges.

6. To monitor the working of the remedial coaching scheme, if approved in the affiliated colleges and university.

7. To function as a Grievances Redressal Cell for the Grievances of SC/ST students and employees of the university and render them necessary help in solving their academic as well as administrative problems.

8. To maintain a register for employment of SCs/STs in the University and Colleges for the candidates belonging to SC/ST communities for various posts in the university/colleges.

9. Any other work assigned from time to time to promote higher education among these two communities suffering economic, social and education deprivations.

10. The SC/ST Cell exclusively looks after the work related to SC/STs matters and no other work is assigned to the Cell.

11. If the required data is not submitted by the given date, UGC reserves the right to withhold either plan or non-plan grant until the required information/data is received. Hence, the universities/colleges are advised to supply the necessary information as required

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 Central Government, MHRD, UGC and State Government for the benefit of the SC/STstudents. 

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

• 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, West Bengal Higher Education Special Scholarship, Meritorious Scholarship, P.G. Women Scholarship, Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship, P.G. Scholarship for professional courses, ICMR, CSIR, ICSSR 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 MHRD and 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 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/STstudents of the university. The Cell also advises the students to utilise the facilities of the Book Bank and to borrow books depending on availability.

Special activities of the SC/ST Cell

The BCKV has to be started the special activities so as to tune the students belonging to SC/ST. 

Remedial Coaching Classes are conducted in the following Areas;

• Remedial English Coaching Class.
• IAS/KAS Coaching Class.
• Coaching Classes for NET/SLET.
• Bank Coaching Classes.
• Research Methodology Classes.

Grievance Redressal

The SC/ST students and Employees can approach the Coordinator of the Cell for redressal of any of their grievance(s) regarding academic, administrative or social problems. The Coordinator often meets the concerned students and staff, to understand their problem and takes necessary action and/or renders them necessary advice/help to resolve the matter.

Procedure to file a complaint

A written complaint may be submitted to the Coordinator, SC/ST Cell. Any student and employee (including contractual, casual and temporary) of BCKV can approach the Cell. 

DropBox 

A Drop Box is available in SC/ST Cell; any student/employee belonging to SC/ST may drop his/her complaint if any. 

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. Article17 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 orpartly out of state funds or dedicated to the use of general Public are removed according toArticle 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 inforce 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. 

Scholarship Schemes: Under Different Government Schemes 

An Overview

Scholarship is a boon for students belonging to the weaker sections {specifically SCs/STs} of the society, who are unable to further their education for some reason or the other. It is an encouragement for students, who are talented, but do not have the means to study further. There are a variety of scholarships-merit-based, need-based, student-specific and career-specific. 

Different Scholarship Schemes and their respective website links are tabulated below: Scholarship: UGC, Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India 

Scholarship: AICTE, Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India: for J & K State 

Scholarship: Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India 

Scholarship: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India 

Scholarship: For Indian students to studies abroad 

Disclaimer: The details provided on the university website are based on prime website of that organization, hence, BCKV or any official of the university would not be responsible for any error or grant of scholarship; hence candidates are requested to visit the particular website for more details.