NEW DELHI: The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is setting up 75 science technology and innovation (STI) hubs in different parts of the country, exclusively for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, to promote scientific talent and uplift the socio-economic status of these communities.
Addressing the inaugural session of International Conference on “Significance of Technology in Empowering Tribal Community of India” at JNU Convention Centre, Union S&T minister Jitendra Singh informed that 33 such STI hubs have already been established and seven are going to become operational soon.
The minister said that these hubs will directly benefit over 30,000 SC and ST population through various interventions spreading across farm, non-farm, other allied livelihood sectors and various livelihood assets like energy, water, health and education.
Singh also said that the science for equity empowerment and development division of the S&T department is providing grant-in-aid support to several knowledge institutions, and S&T-based NGOs for the holistic development of SC and ST communities.
He said that after PM Narendra Modi assumed charge in May 2014, the tribal community was given a “new deal” and efforts were made in the last eight years not only to give them more representation in the government, but also to empower them through different schemes and interventions, including in the areas of education and skill development. The minister also pointed out that during the UPA, only Rs 21,000 crore were provided for the welfare of tribal people, but under the Modi government, the allocation has been enhanced to Rs 78,000 crore.
While quoting PM Modi’s I-Day speech in which he had talked about several tribal leaders, Singh also said that it was the NDA government that decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda every year on November 15 as Tribal Gaurav Diwas.
Addressing the inaugural session of International Conference on “Significance of Technology in Empowering Tribal Community of India” at JNU Convention Centre, Union S&T minister Jitendra Singh informed that 33 such STI hubs have already been established and seven are going to become operational soon.
The minister said that these hubs will directly benefit over 30,000 SC and ST population through various interventions spreading across farm, non-farm, other allied livelihood sectors and various livelihood assets like energy, water, health and education.
Singh also said that the science for equity empowerment and development division of the S&T department is providing grant-in-aid support to several knowledge institutions, and S&T-based NGOs for the holistic development of SC and ST communities.
He said that after PM Narendra Modi assumed charge in May 2014, the tribal community was given a “new deal” and efforts were made in the last eight years not only to give them more representation in the government, but also to empower them through different schemes and interventions, including in the areas of education and skill development. The minister also pointed out that during the UPA, only Rs 21,000 crore were provided for the welfare of tribal people, but under the Modi government, the allocation has been enhanced to Rs 78,000 crore.
While quoting PM Modi’s I-Day speech in which he had talked about several tribal leaders, Singh also said that it was the NDA government that decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda every year on November 15 as Tribal Gaurav Diwas.