PARLIAMENT QUESTION: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY- BASED INTERVENTIONS

Key Highlights:

• The Department of Science and Technology (DST) supports Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) interventions for socio-economic development of disadvantaged sections.
• Projects aim to improve quality of life and livelihoods through appropriate S&T interventions.
• A project in Gadchiroli District, Maharashtra, costing ₹37.56 lakh, benefited 280 Maria Gond tribal women farmers.
• The Science & Technology Resource Centre (STRC) was established in Gadchiroli with Gondwana University at a cost of ₹15.70 crore.
• STRC implements S&T-based interventions for underserved tribal communities in the Gadchiroli–Chimur Parliamentary Constituency.
• STRC functions through five integrated programmatic verticals, including Aquaculture, Bamboo-Based Livelihoods, and ICT.

Detailed Insights:

• DST provides opportunities to scientists, R&D labs, and S&T-driven NGOs for action-oriented, location-specific projects.
• These projects empower communities by adopting technologies to address locally defined needs for sustainable development.
• All DST programmes are implemented PAN India in a competitive mode, with financial support based strictly on merit.
• The composting and kitchen gardening project specifically benefited tribal women farmers belonging to the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), Maria Gond.
• DST strengthens the STI ecosystem at the State/UT level by supporting State Science & Technology Councils.
• The Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission (RGSTC), Maharashtra, is one such council supported by DST.
• The STRC has implemented 11 structured programs, impacting 1,021 tribal households in the region.
• The five programmatic verticals of STRC collectively advance sustainable livelihoods and build community capacity.
• DST also supports competitive, merit-based research and innovation projects across the country, including Gadchiroli–Chimur.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Department of Science and Technology (DST): A department under the Ministry of Science and Technology, promoting S&T activities and research in India.
• Science, Technology and Innovation (STI): The integrated approach of using scientific knowledge, technological tools, and novel ideas for socio-economic development.
• Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs): A sub-category of Scheduled Tribes identified for their extreme vulnerability and needing special attention.
• State Science & Technology Councils: State-level bodies supported by DST to strengthen the STI ecosystem and implement S&T interventions.