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Preface
The Jain Community has been accorded minority status on 27th January, 2014. Now, the men and women of the Jain community, their educational institutions, society, traders, students, religious places, non-government organizations, trusts etc., have become entitled for financial assistance, scholarships, grants, interest subsidies and such other benefits which have been provided under various schemes being run by various ministries of the Government of India, Government of India undertakings and several state governments for the upliftment of minority communities. The fundamental essence of the Constitution is that minorities should protect their religion, culture and language so that they can exist with a sense of self-esteem. Therefore, we take a vow today to educate and elevate society by taking advantage of the various schemes of government for the upliftment of minorities.
The National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI) was established in 2004, with its headquarters in New Delhi. The Commission protects and safeguards the educational institutions which are established and administered by the minorities and grants minority status to them. This also ensures protection of rights of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. Such institutions have to first apply to the competent uthority of their State for the grant of a no objection certificate for obtaining the status of a minority educational institution. If the competent authority does not give any decision within a period of ninety days from the receipt of the application, the institution can straightaway file an application in the Commission. The application form is available on the website of the Commission.
On declaration of the status of a minority educational institution, the institution acquires several rights. Such institutions can appoint its teaching and non-teaching staff on its own without any interference from the government. The institution can give admission to 50 percent of the students of the minority community, of its own choice and determine the fees to be paid. The reservation policy and Right to Education Act are not applicable in such institutions. Pre metric, post metric and Merit cum Means scholarship are given to minority community students by the Central Government and all State Governments. Every student should obtain knowledge of these schemes from school itself.
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