The objective behind such measures is to bring weaker sections of people at par with other sections of society

As many as 75 Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs, exclusively for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, will be set up in different parts of the country, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Wednesday said.

While holding a high level review meeting with senior officials of Department of Science and Technology (DST) in New Delhi, he said that in the last two years, 20 STI Hubs (13 for SCs and 7 for STs) have already been established by DST which will directly benefit 20,000 SC and ST population through various interventions spreading across farm, non-farm, other allied livelihood sectors and various livelihoods assets like energy, water, health, education and others.

He said this decision has been taken in tune with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and resolve to handhold the weaker sections and raise them at par with other sections of society, so that all could collectively contribute to take India to new heights in the next 25 years.

He further added STI hubs will have mainly three-fold objectives: a) To address the weakest linkages in the predominant livelihood systems through Science & Technology (S&T) interventions b) Creation of social enterprises based on the strengths in livelihood systems c) To improve the Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) through inputs of S&T for strengthening the livelihoods.

The STI Hub established by CSIR – Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH) in Union Territory of Ladakh is integrating Information Technology (IT) with health diagnostics and developing the skill of ST youth in IT, the Union Minister said.

The Center is developing IoT based Point of Care Devices (PoCD), E-diagnostics and Smart Diagnostic Technologies for transmitting real-time observations to medical experts which will largely benefit the ST population of the region, he added.

Dr Jitendra Singh informed that the STI Hub established in Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia, West Bengal is catering to the needs of ST population belonging to 34 villages in 15 blocks of 7 districts of West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha.