Govt to set up 75 science technology & innovation hubs for SCs, STs

The aim to develop, nurture and ensure the delivery of appropriate and relevant technologies for creation of sustainable livelihood for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. 

The government will set up 75 Science Technology and Innovation (STI) hubs across the country exclusively for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) to promote scientific talent and contribute to the socio-economic development of these communities, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said. 

Singh said the decision was taken after a high-level review meeting with senior officials of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) here. “In the past two years, 20 STI hubs (13 for SCs, seven for STs) have already been established by the DST which will directly benefit 20,000 SCs and STs through various interventions, spreading across farm, non-farm, other allied livelihood sectors and various livelihoods assets such as energy, water, health, education, etc,” he said. 

The minister said STI hubs would mainly have three-fold objectives. The first was to address the weakest linkages in the predominant livelihood systems through science and technology (S&T) interventions, second is creation of social enterprises based on the strengths in livelihood systems and the last one is to improve the Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) through inputs of S&T for strengthening livelihood.  

The training and skill development programmes under the STI hubs would build the STI capacities and capabilities among SC/ST population, the minister added. 

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