Assistance for Higher Education

Assistance for Higher Education

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has been implementing a number of schemes like (i) National Fellowship for Other Backward Classes (OBC) Candidates (ii)  National Fellowship for Higher Education of Schedule Tribe (ST) Students (iii) Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for SC Candidates (iv) Post-Doctoral Fellowship for SC/ST Candidates (v) PG Scholarship for Professional Courses for SC/ST Candidates (vi) Fellowships for Women Candidates for the welfare of women, people from weaker sections, differently abled and financially weaker sections for pursuing Higher Education. 

The Women Candidates and Persons with Disability (PWD) (more than 40% disability) are allowed a relaxation of one year for M.Phil and two years for Ph.D in maximum duration of these courses; allowing transfer of research data in case of relocation of an M.Phil/Ph.D woman scholar due to marriage or otherwise; and allowing women candidates maternity leave/child-care leave once in the entire duration of M.Phil./Ph.D for up to 240 days. Further, the UGC is implementing post-doctoral fellowship for women candidates (un-employed); Swami Vivekananda single girl child scholarship for research in social sciences  and PG Indira Gandhi Scholarship for single girl child for postgraduate courses to promote the enrolment of women at post- doctoral, doctoral and its feeder levels.  

Further, the UGC is providing funds for Remedial Coaching for SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) and Minority Community Students with a view to (i) improve academic skills and linguistic proficiency of the students in various subjects (ii) raise their level of comprehension of basic subjects to provide a stronger foundation for further academic work; and (iii) strengthen their knowledge, skills and attitudes in such subjects, where quantitative and qualitative techniques and laboratory activities are involved so that proper guidance and training provided under the programme may enable the students to come up to the level necessary for pursuing higher studies efficiently.

It has also been informed that these are ongoing schemes in which the institution ensures proper implementation of the scheme and all payments are made by using Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the bank accounts of beneficiaries. These payments are routed through Public Financial Management Scheme (PFMS), a robust system for ensuring transparency in the system.

Further, the Ministry of Human Resource Development has been operating a Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme, 2009 which provides full Interest Subsidy for the period of moratorium (course period + 1 year) on educational loans taken by students from economically weaker sections with annual parental income up to Rs.4.5 lakh, from scheduled banks under the Educational Loan Scheme of the Indian Banks' Association to pursue Technical/Professional courses in India.

This information was given by the Minister of State (HRD), Dr. Satya Pal Singh today in a written reply to a Lok Sabha question.

PIB

PWDs in Central Government – 7th Pay Commission Recommendations

Person With Disabilities in Central Government – 7th Pay Commission Recommendations

PWDs in Central Government

The government provides three percent reservation in jobs for PWDs. Apart from this reservation at the entry stage, DoPT has issued instructions regarding identification of jobs, post-recruitment and pre-promotion training, providing aids/assistive devices, accessibility and barrier free environment at work place, preference in government accommodation, grievance redressal, and preference in transfer/posting for PWDs. In a recent notification, a provision has been made for ten years’ (fifteen years in case of SC/ST and thirteen years in case of OBC candidates) relaxation in the upper age limit for direct recruitment to civil posts/services under the Central Government.

Moreover, there are certain special entitlements as given below:

i. Special Allowance for Child Care for Women with Disabilities at the rate of Rs.1,500 pm;
ii. Transport Allowance at double the normal rate, subject to a minimum of Rs.1,000 pm;
iii. Constant Attendance Allowance for retired employees with 100 percent disablement at the rate of Rs. 4,500 per month;
iv. Special Casual Leave for four days in a calendar year for specific requirements relating to disabilities;
 v. Special Casual Leave for ten days in a calendar year for participation in Conferences/Seminars/Trainings/Workshops related to disability and development.

In case the disability is work related, the following additional provisions are available:

a. Special Disability Leave;
b. Disability Pension;
c. Educational Concession to children of Defence personnel who are disabled in action.

For employees with differently abled children, Children Education Allowance and Hostel Subsidy is granted at double rate.

Demands

Associations of employees with disabilities made the following demands before the Commission:

i. Suitable enhancement in the existing provisions
ii. Provision of Common Room in offices with suitable recreational facilities
iii. Additional rebate in House Building Advance and Automobile Advance
iv. Establishment of Welfare Committees in the ministries

Analysis and Recommendations

The National Policy for Persons with Disabilities, 2006, enunciates the measures that need to be taken by the government to ensure equal opportunities, protection of justifys and full participation in society for PWDs, in consonance with the principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution. India is also a signatory to the UN Convention on the justifys for Persons with Disabilities. Thus, provision of appropriate measures for employees with disabilities is the responsibility of the Union Government.

The Commission has made various recommendations regarding PWDs at different places in the report. They are consolidated here for ready reference:

i. In recognition of the singular responsibility faced by differently abled women in raising their children, the Special Allowance for Child Care for Women with Disabilities has been enhanced from the present rate of Rs.1,500 pm to Rs.3,000 pm

ii. Transport Allowance at double the normal rate has been retained, and the minimum amount has been increased from Rs.1,000 pm to Rs.2,250 pm

iii. Children Education Allowance and Hostel Subsidy have been kept at double rate for differently abled children

iv. Constant Attendance Allowance has been enhanced from Rs.4,500 pm to Rs.6,750 pm

v. Special Disability Leave has been subsumed in Work Related Illness and Injury Leave (WRIIL), with improved provisions

vi. Educational Concession, hitherto available only to the children of Defence personnel killed/missing/disabled in action, has been extended to similarly placed personnel of CAPFs, Indian Coast Guard, RPF and police forces of Union Territories mutatis mutandis.

Besides the above recommendations, there are a few suggestions that can go a long way in improving the working environment for these employees :

i. In our interactions, it has been highlighted that easy access, particularly to toilets, remains an issue of concern. Hence, it is suggested that Guidelines and Space Standard for Barrier Free Built Environment for Disabled and Elderly Persons, issued by CPWD, Ministry of Urban Affairs and Employment, should invariably be followed while designing new government premises. Their application in the existing offices may also be explored.

ii. Every ministry should have a Welfare Committee, with due representation of differently abled employees, to address their concerns.

iii. The grievance redressal machinery should be strengthened and made more effective

Reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) for recruitment from open market - List of posts identified suitable for them- regarding.

Reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) for recruitment from open market - List of posts identified suitable for them- regarding.

 

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 

MINISTRY OF RAIL WAYS 

(RAILWAY BOARD) 

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E(NG)II/2014/RC-2/1List

New Delhi, dated 14.02.2014

The General Manager (P), 

All Zonal Railways/PUs, 

Chairman/RRBs & RRCs.

 

Sub:- Reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) for recruitment from open market - List of posts identified suitable for them- regarding.

****

Attention is invited to this Ministry's letter No. E(NG)II/2009/RC-2/5 List, dated 27/08/2009, circulating therewith department-wise list of posts identified suitable for Persons with Disabilities in Group 'C' & erstwhile Group 'D' categories on the Railways.

This list was based on the list of posts notified by M/o Social Justice and Empowerment vide their notification No.16-70/2004-DDIII dated 18/1/2007, 15/3/2007 and 22/312007.

 

Department of Disability Affairs have informed this Ministry of a new list of posts published vide their Notification NoI6-15/2010-DDIII dated 29/7/2013, to give effect to reservation to the PWDs, wherein, total exemption have been granted to the Railways from reservation in certain posts and partial exemption in some others. This, however, does not mean that 3% vacancies in posts fully exempted will not have to be set aside for reservation for PWDs. It only implies that instead of filling up this 3% in fully exempted categories, the same will have to be diverted mandatorily to other categories identified suitable for PWDs. Accordingly, it has been decided that 3% vacancies of fully exempted category posts reserved for PWDs may be shifted to identified posts in the same department. This will require careful planning in advance by the Railways so that the categories from which this 3% is proposed to be shifted and categories where this 3% will be placed are identified well before indents are placed, e.g., for 100 indents of JE(Mechanical) which is a fully exempted category, indent may be placed for only 97 posts and indents for 3 posts should be shifted to other posts of Mechanical departments which have been identified suitable for PWDs.

 

Based on the same, a consolidated lists of posts identified suitable for PWDs, is enclosed for information and compliance. This list is not exhaustive and Railway Administrations are free to identify more posts (not included in the enclosed list) locally so that more PWDs can be provided employment opportunities on the Railways.

 

While conducting recruitment from open market, it is reiterated that the provisions of PWD Act,1995 and instructions of Department of Personnel & Training as circulated from time to time be scrupulously followed.

 

Please acknowledge receipt.

 

Encl: As above

(Harsha Dass) 

Director Estt. (N)II 

Railway Board

 

Click to view the complete department-wise list of posts identified suitable for Persons with Disabilities in Group 'C' & erstwhile Group 'D' categories on the Railways

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