Report caste discrimination plaints, UGC directs colleges
Nirupa.Vatyam@timesofindia.com 17.01.2025
Hyderabad : After the Supreme Court asked the University Grants Commission (UGC) about the data on caste discrimination complaints in higher education institutions, the commission directed colleges to submit details about complaints received, resolved, and pending since the 2019-20 academic year.
“Higher education institutions are requested to establish an Equal Opportunity Cell and SC/ST Cell to ensure the effective and transparent redressal of grievances of the disadvantaged groups. To assist this initiative, the UGC is preparing a database of important aspects, which are crucial to the protection of the rights and interests of the disadvantaged groups and addressing their complaints and grievances. You are therefore requested to submit the requisite information in prescribed format,” read a circular sent by the commission.
At the state level too, the Telangana SC/ST commission is not maintaining any such data as they told TOI that they get complaints from individuals or groups, but not from universities or colleges. While SC/ST cells at universities said they mostly deal with complaints about the allotment of rooms or guides for PhD students or service related issues from staff, colleges are now forming various cells so that they can send information to UGC. “We don’t get any data from universities or colleges about complaints received from SC/ST students or faculty,” said Telangana State Commission for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes chairman Bakki Venkataiah, adding that a majority of complaints they receive are related to land or service-related issues.
Officials from various universities also said that more than students complaining about caste discrimination, they receive more complaints from staff over promotions or being ignored for a post despite having the required qualifications
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