| National
Service Scheme (NSS) 10.0
Introduction
N.S.S. a centrally sponsored
scheme was introduced in 37 selected universities on 24-09-1969 both "as
a measure of Educational Reforms and as a mean to improve the quality of educated
man power". It was extended to plus two schools in 1985. The scheme has aroused
among the student youth an awareness of the reality of life, a better understanding
and appreciation of the problems of the people. It is an attempt in making education
relevant to the needs of the society. The scheme was implemented in Himachal Pradesh
University in 1972 and extended to plus two schools in 1993. 10.1
Aims & Objectives
(a) Aims: The overall aim
of the scheme is to "arouse the social consciousness of the students and
to provide them with opportunity to work with people in the villages and slums,
and to expose them to the realities of life" so as to "bring about a
change in their social perceptions". (b)
Objective: Main objective of the scheme is "Development of personality of
a student through community service rendered during leisure hours".
10.2 Cardinal Principle The
cardinal principle of NSS programme is that it is "of the students, for the
students and by the students" and offers them sense of involvement in nation
building besides work experience. 10.3
Classification of Activities There
are two kinds of activities namely
(a) Regular NSS Activities (b) Special Camping Programme
(a) Regular NSS Activities:
Under this, students undertake various programmes in adopted villages and urban
slums during week-ends or after teaching hours. Volunteers are required to put
in minimum of 120 hours of community service, orientation and campus work in accordance
with the NSS Manual and instructions/guidelines of Govt. of India. Volunteers
may be placed in the following projects under community work. (i)
Institutional Work: Placing students with voluntary organisations working for
the welfare of women, children, aged & disabled outside the campus.
(ii)
Rural Projects: Projects in adopted villages for such as eradication of illiteracy,
watershed management, health, hygiene, sanitation, mother-childcare, family life
education, rural roads, gender justice and campaign against social evils etc.
(iii) Urban Projects: In addition to above, the project includes Adult Education,
welfare of slum-dwellers, civil-defence, traffic control, work in hospitals, orphanages,
destitute homes, environment, population education, Drug & AIDS awareness
etc.
(iv) Natural Calamities & National Emergencies: Volunteers can work
for mobilising public support & rendering assistance to civil authorities
in such events.
(v) National Programmes: Volunteers may take up such programmes
like Mass Programme of Functional Literacy, AIDS Awareness Programme and sustainable
development and help the Govt. Unit is to take up activities which are local need
based. They are to be in accordance with the suggestive list contained in NSS
Manual & specific directions received from competent authorities from time
to time.
(b) Special Camping Programme: Under this, camps of 10 days
duration are organised in adopted villages or urban slums during vacations. 50%
of the volunteers participate in these camps. Projects are undertaken in accordance
with the "camping themes" given by Govt. of India.
10.4 NSS Unit
Strength of a unit will be 100 volunteers but in exceptional cases, a unit may
be started with 75 volunteers with permission of Govt./Director of Education. 10.4.1
Enrolment in NSS: Any regular student in plus two classes or classes of the three
year degree courses (TDC) at college level can apply for enrolment in NSS. NCC
cadets, National Sports Organisation (NSO), Scouts & Guides are not to be
enrolled in NSS simultaneously. 10.4.2
Volunteer: (a)
Code of Conduct: A volunteer shall:-
(i) work under the guidance of group
leader;
(ii) make himself/herself worthy of confidence and cooperation of
group/ community leader-ship;
(iii) scrupulously avoid entering into any
controversial issue;
(iv) keep day to day record of activities/ experiences
in NSS Diary and get it signed by Programme Officer and
(v) wear NSS Badge
while on work. (b)
NSS Certificate: A volunteer is entitled for NSS certificate upon rendering 240
hours of community service in two consecutive years and participation in 10 days
special Annual Camp (Day and Night). (c)
Volunteers who render community service of exceptionally high standard may be
honoured publically and also recommended for participation in State, Regional,
National youth events. 10.5
Programme Officer (P.O.) He/she
is the kingpin functionary at the grass root level in NSS. He is to motivate volunteers
to understand values and philosophy of NSS and provide guidance & direction
to them. He is to facilitate them in planning, implementation and evaluation of
their activities. He is to act as an organiser, educator, co-ordinator, supervisor
and administrator and public relations officer in the discharge of his obligations
effectively. 10.5.1
Selection/Appointment: The P.O. will be selected by the principal from
amongst the applicant regular lecturers and appointed by Programme Coordinator
on his recommendations, after scrutinising his/her bio-data focussing on his/her
aptitude & performance in community service. Adhoc Tenure, Contract teacher
is not to be appointed as P.O. 10.5.2
Eligibility:Only lecturers with commitment, dedication and inclination for
community service be appointed. Teachers holding any assignment other than teaching
i.e. NCC, DPE/Lecturer in Physical Education, Hostel Wardens, Bursur etc. is not
to be appointed as a P.O. 10.5.3
Tenure: An P.O. can serve for a maximum period of 3 years at a stretch which
can be extended by one year in case of exceptionally dedicated P.O. only. His/her
performance is to be evaluated every year for continuation. 10.5.4
Orientation/Training: Principal is to ensure that the selected P.O. undergoes
orientation within 3 months or at the first available opportunity. Failure of
an P.O. to undergo orientation for any reason shall render him ineligible for
holding the charge any more. The charge shall be handed over to another teacher
immediately as per procedure. 10.5.5
Duties of P.O.: In addition to the actions required for the implementation
of NSS programmes, P.O. is responsible for the maintenance of various Records,
submission of periodical reports & returns as detailed in NSS Manual and safe
custody of NSS Assets.
10.6 Programme Coordinator (NSS) The
Programme Coordinator is the key functionary as far as NSS is concerned. Only
a devoted Programme Coordinator with adequate experience in youth work can plan,
execute and evaluate the NSS activities in the proper perspective.
The Programme Coordinator will execute all administrative and policy directives
of the Government of India and the State Government, decisions of the State Advisory
Committee, +2 Advisory Committee for implementation of NSS programme. The NSS
programme will be prepared in the light of the guidelines issued by the Government
of India.
10.6.1 Selection of Programme Co-ordinator:
The
selection of the Programme Coordinator at +2 level will be made by a duly Constituted
Selection Committee as per the following procedures :
(a) The vacancy of the
post will be advertised in the local and national dailies.
(b) The available
candidates will be interviewed by the committee.
At least 5 persons will
be short listed for interview.
(c) The candidate will be selected by the committee
constituted for this purpose.
10.6.2 Composition of Selection Committee: The
Selection Committee for the post of Programme Coordinator +2 stage will consist
of the following members : (i)
The Education Secretary Chairperson
(ii) The State Liaison Officer Member
(iii) Head of Concerned NSS Regional Center Member
(iv) The Director of Secondary
Education/ Member
School Education/+2 Council
10.6.3 Qualification
for the post of Programme Coordinator at +2 Stage : (a)
Principal of a Higher Secondary School
or
Officer of the Education Department
not below the rank of Distt. Education Officer.
(b) should have served as
Programme Officer in a school or College at least for 3 years.
(c) should
have undergone NSS orientation in a Training Orientation Centre(TOC)/(Training
Orientation and Research Centre (TORC).
(d) not more than 50 years of age
at the time of selection as Programme Coordinator.
10.6.4 Term/Tenure of Programme Coordinator :
The Programme Coordinator will be appointed on deputation short term contract
for a period of 3 years initially. It may be extended for another year subject
to satisfactory performance.
10.6.5 Function of Programme Coordinator
:
1. To assist
and guide the NSS units for implementation of NSS programmes at +2 level.
2. To help in organising campus, training and orientation programmes for the NSS
group leaders and Programme Officers.
3. To visit the NSS units for monitoring
and evaluation.
4. To ensure implementation of NSS Regular Activities and
Special Camping Programme.
5. To ensure timely release of grants.
6. To
submit reports and returns to Programme Adviser, Regional Centre and State Liaison
Cell.
7. To select new Programme Officers as per guidelines and ensure their
orientation within the stipulated period.
8. To submit half yearly reports
and their information required to Govt. of India, Regional Centre, State Liaison
Officer and TOC from time to time as desired by the Govt. of India.
9. To
liaise with Regional Centre, State Liaison Officer and TOC/TORC for the implementation
of NSS programme.
10. To bring out the publications and reports throwing light
on the achievements.
10.7 Principal Proper
implementation of NSS programmes at the institution level is ensured by the active
participation of the Principal. He/she, therefore, is required to perform the
following duties :- 10.7.1
Duties :
(i) Interpret importance of NSS to staff members and the community;
(ii)
Integrate NSS with other related actions in the institution;
(iii) Select
suitable NSS P.O.;
(iv) Guide P.O. and volunteers in planning NSS activities;
(v) Constitute NSS Advisory Committee & convene its meetings regularly
as per guidelines;
(vi) Ensure implementation of suggestions of Advisory
Committee;
(vii) Extend secretarial and other support to P.O. for effective
implementation of NSS programme;
(viii) Monitor the programme and ensure
proper maintenance of accounts & records;
(ix) Depute teachers for orientation,
training, refresher courses, seminars etc. as and when asked for and
(x)
Ensure utilisation of grants strictly in accordance with the guidelines/ instructions/directions.
10.8 Finances As
the funds are provided out of Public Revenue, the accounts are to be maintained
according to Standard Accounting Procedure and instructions applicable to Public
funds/Revenue. 10.8.1
NSS Account: NSS account is to be maintained in a Scheduled Bank as Saving
Account separately. Payments are to be made by cheque only. Separate Voucher Files
& Cash Book is to properly maintained. 10.8.2
Expenditure Statements and Utilisation Certificates: Expenditure Statements
and utilisation certificates are to be submitted to the authorities under the
signatures of principal only and not the P.O., duly audited by Chartered Accountant
or other agency appointed by the Govt. 10.8.3
Out of Pocket Allowance: Out-of-pocket allowance to P.O. is subject to the
following specific work to be put in by him/her every month.
(i) Mobilization
of 50% volunteers for special camping;
(ii) Minimum of 3 to 4 community visits
per month to the adopted area for coordination and supervision; (iii)
Maintenance of NSS Records as specified in NSS Manual;
(iv) Submission of
quarterly progress reports. Note.-Out
of Pocket Allowance is exempted from Income Tax . 10.8.4
Financial Records : Cash Book, Voucher File, and other records pertaining
to NSS are to be made available for inspection by the officials of A.G., Local
Fund Audit, State Liaison Officer and Regional Centre concerned. 10.8.5
Cash Book : Cash Book is to be completed on the day any transaction is made. 10.9
Records and Registers
The Records & Registers are to be properly maintained and handed over by the
outgoing P.O. to the successor. The
following are to be maintained at Unit Level : (a)
Enrolment Register
(b) Project Register
(c) Stock Register
(d) Record
of Attendance
(e) Minutes Book of school advisory committee
(f) Personal
Work Diary of P.O.
(g) Work Diary of NSS Volunteer
(h) Financial Records. 10.10
NSS Manual NSS
Manual issued by Govt. of India is a Reference Book and is to be kept in the library
as such duly accessed. It is not to be issued on loan. Principal and P.O. are
to implement the programme strictly in accordance with the guidelines/ instructions/
directions contained in NSS Manual issued by Govt. of India as well as received
from competent authorities from time to time. 10.11
Donations NSS
subscriptions and other income in cash ar to be duly recorded in Cash Book. Donations
in kind are to be entered in NSS Stock Register with specifications & market
value. 10.12
Storage of Material
It is to be ensured that material purchased out of NSS fund is stored separately
and exclusively utilised for NSS activities. 10.13
Temporary Advance to PO NSS
being a student activity and third dimension of education, flow of funds is to
be ensured. As such temporary advances from any of the funds available in the
institutions be given to the PO to implement activities. | 
