Lok Sabha Question No. 2827 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-17
Subject: Establishment of Rural Science Outreach & Innovation Labs in Odisha
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2827

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17/12/2025

Establishment of Rural Science Outreach & Innovation Labs in Odisha

2827. Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  need  for  dedicated Rural  Science  Outreach  &  Innovation  Labs  in  aspirational  and educationally underserved districts of Odisha including Balangir and Sonepur;
- (b) the details of any proposals received from Odisha for setting up Atal Tinkering Labs., mobile science vans, or rural STEM incubation centres during the financial Years 2023-24 and 2024-25;
- (c)  whether  funding  support  has  been  sanctioned  for  improving scientific  temperament  among  school  children  in  rural  regions  of Western Odisha and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  expand community-based  innovation  programmes  to  enhance  scientific literacy at grassroots level?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), Bhubaneswar, one of the constituent laboratories of the Council of Scientific  and  Industrial  Research  (CSIR)  which  is  an  autonomous organization with Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is contributing effectively towards the S&T interventions of Nabrangpur aspirational district in Odisha.

- (b)  No  proposal  was  received  from  Odisha  for  setting  up  Atal Tinkering Labs during FY 2023 -24 and 2024 -25 under Atal Innovation Mission of Niti Aayog.

(c) CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT) is  engaged  in  connecting  school  students  with  scientists  through CSIR's  'Jigyasa'  (student -scientist  connect)  program  across  the State  of  Odisha.  National  Council  for  Science  and  Technology Communication (NCSTC)  division  of  Department  of  Science  and Technology  (DST),  Ministry  of  Science  and  Technology  (MoST)  is popularizing science, technology and innovation (STI) among school students  in  the  age  group  of  10-17  years  to  inculcate  scientific temper and introduce them to methods of research and innovation through  its  flagship  program  National  Children  Science  Congress (NCSC), which is organized at district, state and national level. Atal

Innovation Mission (AIM) of Niti Aayog has setup 331 Atal Tinkering Labs  (ATLs)  across  the  state  of  Odisha  for  improving  scientific temperament among school children. A total fund of Rs. 43.36 crores has been disbursed to setup ATLs in the state of Odisha.

(d)  The  Technology  Development  and  Utilization  Programme  for Women (TDUPW), a component under the Access to Knowledge for Technology  Development  and  Dissemination  (A2k+)  scheme  of Department of Scientific and Industrial  Research  aims  to  promote and support the adoption of new technologies, awareness creation and  training  of  women  at  the  grassroot  level  for  deployment  of technologies that reduce drudgery, improve their operational efficiency  and  empower  them.  The  scheme  supports  technology upgradation in women-run MSMEs, SHGs and women entrepreneurs and  facilitates  showcasing  and  demonstration  of  technologies developed  by  scientific  institutions.  DSIR  has  set  up  Common Research and Technology Development Hub (CRTDH) under BIRD crf scheme at CSIR- Institute of Minerals & Materials Technology, (IMMT) Bhubaneswar  and  the  lab  is  pursuing  activities  related  to  metal crafting to train artisans and provide technological interventions for smoke less brass melting furnace, improvement in melting, casting process of brass metal etc. A dedicated metal craft facility centre has  been  setup  to  provide  support  to  artisans.  CSIR-IMMT  is  also contributing  to  innovation  ecosystem  of  Odisha  through  Startup Odisha recognized incubation center: Innovative Technology Enabling  Centre  (InTEC).    Further,  CSIR  is  running  a  program 'Integrated  Skill  Initiative'  at  various  levels  across  different  CSIR

Laboratories, under which CSIR-IMMT has recently conducted skill development training programs on 'bakery products preparation and its  packaging' at  Umerkote, Nabarangpur, Odisha and 'Training in Earthenware & Terracotta Sintering' at Ratneswari Terracotta SHG located  in  Tondaguda  village,  Papdahandi  block,  Nabarangpur, Odisha. CSIR-IMMT also participated in the "VIKSIT ODISHA 2025"Mega  Exhibition  held  at  Rairangpur,  Odisha  and  showcased  its innovative  technologies  &  ongoing  R&D  activities  to  the  local students & visitors.

Department of Science and Technology (DST) is undertaking programs  to  enhance  scientific  literacy  at  grassroot  level  for community viz. low-cost teaching aid workshops, Demystification of science,  STEM  demonstration  activities,  folk  media  programs  for STEM  awareness,  industry  visits  and  Samvaad  program  through mentor  and  mentee  extended  to  teachers,  students  and  general public. The fund disbursement details for FY 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 are given in Appendix 1.

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog has setup Atal Community Innovation Centers (ACICs) to serve the unserved and underserved regions.  These  centers  focus  on  "frugal  innovation"  and  provide infrastructure, mentorship and community-oriented problem-solving spaces.  Currently,  14  ACICs  are  fully  operationalized  across  the country, with 01 in Odisha at GIET University Foundation.  A total of Rs. 62.60 lakhs have been disbursed to GIET University Foundation. Further, in collaboration with UNDP  India, AIM  launched the

Community Innovator Fellowship to facilitate knowledge building and provide a platform for aspiring community innovators. This fellowship offers financial support and mentorship to youth to develop community-centric solutions.

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## Appendix - 1

|   Sl. No. | Project Details                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | PI/ Organization Name                                                                            |   Amount Sanctioned (in Rs) | F.Y.    |
|-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|---------|
|         1 | Training of Teachers Through Low-Cost hands-on innovative methods of science teaching in physics to promote innovation amongst students of Odisha                                                                                                                        | Samanta Chandrashekhar Vigyan Club Balasore, Orissa                                              |                     3551000 | 2023-24 |
|         2 | Project proposal to exploring the science among tribal people to stop witch craft, Black Magic, Fire Burn Treatment of new born babies and sorcery practice through folk media drama and pala among tribals of Harichandanpur and Champua Blocks of Keonjhar District of | Society for Humanitarian Advancement with Key Technological Initiative (SHAKTI) Balasore, Orissa |                     3068000 | 2023-24 |
|         3 | Odisha Project proposal for organization science drama festival to campaign for water conservation and rain water harvesting through folk media among the tribal & rural mass in the aspirational district as kalahandi in Odisha                                        | ESWAR, Orissa                                                                                    |                     3230000 | 2023-24 |

|   4 | Science awareness programs for social issues eradication through folk media in aspirational and underdeveloped district od Odisha                                                                                                  | Socio Cultural Development Centre Jagatsinghapur, Orissa   |   2479500 | 2023-24   |
|-----|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|-----------|
|   5 | "Industrial Tour- A Recognition to Science and Technology for Students of under develop District (Angul, Mayurbhanj, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Rayagada & Kalahandi) of Odisha"                                                        | Socio Cultural Development Centre Jagatsinghapur, Orissa   |   3026400 | 2023-24   |
|   6 | Project proposal for organizing folk media-based science drama festivals to campaign against major tribal health issues as malaria, TB and Malnutrition among the tribal population of Naupada, as Aspirational District in Odisha | Bihang Welfare Association Kalahandi, Orissa               |   3067200 | 2023-24   |
|   7 | Science Awareness cum advocacy campaign among students and SC/ST community in scheduled areas for recent advancement in science technology                                                                                         | Development Action Society Foundation Balia, Orissa        |   2496000 | 2023-24   |

|   8 | District and State Level Children Science Congress 2023 for Odisha                                                                                       | Dr. Ransing Nirmalendu Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Samiti Bhubneshwar, Orissa   |   1226500 | 2024-25   |
|-----|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|-----------|
|   9 | Project Proposal towards Implementing Samvaad Initiatives for the students to campaign for Developing safe drinking water habits so as to avoid diseases | Mrs. Shruti Singh ESWAR Kodapala, Orissa                                   |   3361920 | 2025-26   |