(a) whether technology can play a role in generating sustainable livelihood and create inclusive growth in the backward areas of our country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the steps taken in this direction in the States during each of the last three years and the current year; and
(c) the future programme worked out for the remaining period of Twelfth Plan, State-wise?
MINISTER FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER FOR EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT AS REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.356 FOR 17/12/2014 REGARDING “TECHNOLOGY AS A VEHICLE OF GROWTH”
(a) Yes, Madam. Technology can play a vital role in generating sustainable livelihood and to create inclusive growth in the backward areas of our country. The socio-economic development programmes of the Ministry of Science and Technology primarily aim at reaching technology to the weaker sections of the society so that they derive benefit in terms of sustainable livelihoods and inclusive growth. These programmes include Long Term Core Support - Technological Advancement for Rural Areas (TARA), S & T Application for Weaker Sections (STAWS), Women Technology Parks, Technology Application for Livelihood Improvement of Scheduled Caste Population (Talim-SC), etc.
(b) A number of projects have been implemented for generating sustainable livelihoods and to create inclusive growth in areas of both farm and non -farm sectors, such as, diversified agriculture, post harvest processing, nursery technology, bio-fertilizers, food processing, medicinal and aromatic plants, cottage industries, low cost housing, de-fluridization of drinking water, value addition in flax seed, etc in different States.
(c) Future programmes worked out for the remaining 12th Five Year Plan, in addition to the above mentioned programmes, are waste management through value addition for income generation, science and technology interventions in traditional crafts, involving the Scheduled Caste community, rural housing, etc. There is no State-wise plan for the programmes as the initiatives are decided on competitive and merit based proposals received from various organizations.