SKE Society

1 Preamble

Rani Parvati Devi College of Arts and Commerce is committed to promoting equity, inclusion, and social justice in higher education. In alignment with the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, the Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDG) Cell is established at the College, Belagavi, to support undergraduate students from marginalized and disadvantaged backgrounds and to ensure equal access, participation, and success in academic and co-curricular activities.

2 Objectives of the SEDG Cell

Protect and promote all constitutional rights of students belonging to Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs).
Ensure that the HEI is inclusive, safe, secure, and non-discriminatory for SEDGs students.
Provide socio-emotional and academic support, mentoring, and guidance through structured counselling and continuous monitoring.
Ensure proper implementation of orientation programmes, bridge courses, and remedial initiatives.
Ensure effective implementation of programmes to enhance participation of SEDGs students in academic, co-curricular, and extension activities.
Implement Government of India and State Government policies, including reservation policies and various schemes meant for SEDGs students.
Facilitate outreach programmes enabling SEDGs students to avail educational opportunities offered by the HEI.
Ensure implementation of preventive measures and applicable laws against discrimination, harassment, and atrocities.
Circulate, publicise, and monitor implementation of all UGC and Government guidelines concerning SEDGs.
Redress grievances through the Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) within 15 days, ensuring confidentiality, safety, and dignity of the complainant.

3 Scope & Coverage

The SEDG Cell caters to undergraduate students belonging to:

Scheduled Castes (SC) Scheduled Tribes (ST) OBC – Non-Creamy Layer Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) Minorities Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Migrant & First-Generation Learners Orphaned / Single-Parent Students Any group notified by UGC / GoI

4 Composition of the SEDG Cell

#	Member	Role
1	Chairperson	Chair
2	Senior Professor	Member
3	In-charge, Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)	Member
4	Coordinator / Director, IQAC	Member
5	SC/ST Representative	Member
6	OBC Representative	Member
7	Two Student Representatives from SEDGs (1 male + 1 female)	Member
8	Administrative Officer	Member Secretary

* Chairperson and members to be nominated by the Head of the HEI. Composition shall ensure adequate representation, inclusivity, and gender balance.

5 Functions of the SEDG Cell

01Coordinate with existing cells to implement scholarships and fellowships of GoI and State Governments.

02Monitor orientation programmes, bridge courses, earn-while-learn schemes, and outreach programmes.

03Provide socio-economic, academic, and psychological support through structured counselling and mentoring.

04Sensitize faculty, staff, and students on SEDGs-related issues and promote inclusive participation.

05Mobilize funds from CSR, alumni, and philanthropic organizations to provide financial assistance to SEDGs.

06Coordinate with IQAC to create awareness and support inclusive and equitable quality education policies.

07Function as a "Single Window System" for SEDGs students to address grievances, access facilities and scholarship information.

08Upload and regularly update guidelines, welfare provisions, and safety measures for SEDGs on the HEI portal.

09Publicize welfare schemes such as remedial coaching and entry-into-services coaching for SC/ST/OBC/Minority/PwD students.

10Establish a team of counsellors, social workers, and faculty for emotional and psychological support to SEDGs students.

11Focus on personality development, professional skills, employability, and soft skills for improved career prospects.

12Organize periodic meetings to monitor effectiveness of schemes and maintain a comprehensive database of beneficiaries.

13Create awareness among faculty, staff, and students regarding facilities and support systems for SEDGs.

14Sensitize students to bring about attitudinal change and ensure active participation in all institutional activities.

15Hold regular meetings with SEDGs student representatives to understand concerns and facilitate resolution while maintaining confidentiality.

16Review and ensure redressal of all grievances within a stipulated period of 15 days.

17Inform students during induction about the institution's zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination, harassment, or exclusion.

6 Student Support Measures

Academic support through mentoring, remedial teaching, and peer learning.

Financial guidance and facilitation of government and institutional scholarships.

Counseling and psychological support services.

Access to infrastructure and digital learning resources.

Inclusive participation in cultural, sports, and extension activities.

7 Grievance Redressal Mechanism

Submit

Complaints may be submitted verbally or in writing to the Cell Coordinator.

Review

All grievances handled confidentially, sensitively, and promptly by the SEDG Cell.

Escalate

Serious cases referred to the appropriate statutory committee of the College.

Resolve

Resolution ensured within 15 days, maintaining dignity and privacy of the complainant.

8 Awareness & Capacity Building

Conduct orientation programs for students and staff on inclusive practices.
Organize sensitization workshops on gender equality, social justice, and diversity.
Celebrate important days related to social empowerment and inclusion.

9 Monitoring & Evaluation

The functioning of the SEDG Cell shall be reviewed annually.
Feedback from students shall be collected to improve services.
Action-taken reports shall be documented for quality assurance and accreditation purposes.

10 Policy Review

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This policy shall be reviewed periodically in accordance with:

UGC regulations and advisories
Government of India and State Government directives
Institutional needs and best practices