Equal Opportunity Cell – Mahatma Jyotiba Fule College of Social Science

Equal Opportunity Cell (SC/ST/OBC)

Introduction: –

Mahatma Jyotiba Fule College of Social Work, Yavatmal, a renowned Buddhist Minority Educational Institute, is established on the ideologies of social justice, equality, and empowerment. Such values, driven by the philosophy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and professional social work norms, underpinned its formation of its Equal Opportunity Cell (EOC) in 2019. Formed in accordance with University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, in particular the ‘Guidelines for scheme of Equal Opportunity Centre for Colleges XII Plan (2012-2017),’ the EOC was formed with the intent to redress past inequalities and make the playing field as even as possible for all members of its academic environment.

Core to the mandate of the EOC is the prevention of discrimination on the college campus. Discrimination of any type is, in essence, a denial of human rights, as established by Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” The EOC thus aims at preventing students, teachers, and all other stakeholders from diverse backgrounds from being deprived of their fundamental opportunities and rights. A central concern of the Cell is the empowerment and development of individuals from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).

The reason for this commitment lies in a recognition of historical imbalances in the Indian education system, where the system has customarily been geared towards satisfying the needs of just a percentage of the population and excluding and neglecting important sections. This historic exclusion generated deep inequalities, negatively impacting marginalized groups. For example, the institutionalized caste system traditionally deprived Scheduled Castes (SCs) of dignity, identity, and rights, which resulted in their humiliation and dehumanization. In the same way, Scheduled Tribes (STs) were isolated, neglected, and exploited. Even now, both SCs and STs, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs non-creamy layer), minorities, women, and physically challenged individuals remain disproportionately disadvantaged and marginalized in society. The EOC remains an important institution to reverse these deep-seated inequalities and ensure the constitutional pledges of equality and social justice.

Aims and Objectives: –

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.

Composition Equal Opportunity Cell (SC/ST/OBC):

Sr. No.	Name	Members	Designation	Mobile No
1.	Dr. Sunil P. Washimkar	(Principal)	(Chairperson)	9405926081
2.	Mr. Deepak R. Ate	(Assist. Professor) Senior Faculty Member S.C.	(Coordinator)	9834572684
3.	Dr. Sandeep R. Uppod	(Assist. Professor) Faculty Member S.T.	(Member)	9511842150
4.	Dr. Swati M. Ugemuge	(Assoc. Professor) Faculty Member O.B.C.	(Member)	9403609693
5.	Mr. Prasenjit K. Ramteke	(M.S.W. Student Representatives)	(Member)	–
6.	Mr. Shankar Sunil Gadekar	(B.S.W. Student Representatives)	(Member)	–
7.	Ms. Vishakha P. Dangare	(Staff Representative/ S.C.)	(Member)	9022364122
8.	Pratishtha Rambhau Kale	External Expert (Lokmitra trust, Yavatmal)	(Member)	9819959708
9.	Mr. Dhammanand U Bondade	Representative from Buddhist Community (Ovee Trust)	(Member)	9423570988

(Note: Nominated members shall have a term of three years from 2025 to 2028)

Functions: –

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

Refer.https://www.ugc.gov.in/pdfnews/7894390_equal-opportunity-cell.pdf