The union government has decided to establish 75 Science Technology and Innovation (STI) hubs across the country that would be exclusively for the citizens belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). 

In order to encourage scientific talent and contribute to the socio-economic growth and development of SC and ST communities, the government will set up 75 Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs in India, said the Union Minister, Jitendra Singh on Wednesday. 

STIs are established with the aim to assess resources for sustainable livelihood planning through science, know-how, and practices. The initiative is targeted at socio-economic development, capacity building (both institution and human capacities) and sustainable development for development of SC/ST Communities in India.

After a high-profile review meeting with senior authorities of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the government has come to the conclusion of establishing 75 STI hubs across the country, the minister said. 

Singh said that a couple of years ago, 20 Science Technology and Innovation (STI) hubs, in which 13 STI for SC and 7 for ST community, were established by the DST. 

He added that these STI will eventually benefit a total of 20,000 SCs and STs through various interventions, spreading across different sectors including farm, non-farm, other allied livelihood assets like education, energy, water, health, etc. 

Further, the minister said that approximately 75 STI hubs will be established throughout the country solely for the SC and ST citizens with an objective to promote, nurture, and ensure the proper delivery of relevant technologies to create sustainable livelihoods for the SC and ST communities.

Apart from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, IIIT Hyderabad was the only institution in the initial list of 17 selected TIHs.

Earlier, IIIT Hyderabad was selected for setting up Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) on data-driven technologies. The institute received funding INR 110 crore from the Union department of science and technology (DST). 

TIH-Data will be a single point source for all data-driven technologies on healthcare, systems, mobility, buildings, and India-specific problems. 

Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (independent charge) Science and Technology said that the STI hubs will be established with a main focus on three-fold objectives. The first aim is to address the weakest linkages in the predominant livelihood systems through science and technology (S&T) interventions. 

Following this, the second objective is to create social enterprises based on the strengths in livelihood systems and the third aim is to alleviate the Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) with the help of the inputs of S&T for strengthening livelihoods.

According to an official communique, the CSIR - Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH) in Ladakh set up a Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs with an aim to integrate information technology (IT) with health diagnostics and develop the skills of youngsters from STs in the IT field. 

Additionally, an STI Hub in Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University in West Bengal is catering to the requirements of ST population of 34 villages in 15 blocks of 7 districts of West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand. 

According to the reports, the STI interventions include development of water filters using nano materials, production of aromatic oils, establishment of germplasm of different medicinal plants to promote niche products and development of social enterprises.

Currently, a total of 2,296 citizens have access to clean and safe drinking water and 1,410 persons have access to health care facilities and improved nutrition. 

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