PARLIAMENT QUESTION: STRENGTHENING, UPSCALING & NURTURING LOCAL INNOVATIONS FOR LIVELIHOOD SCHEME

2025-07-30 Information

The Department of Science and Technology (DST), through its Science for Equity, Empowerment & Development (SEED) Division, implements the Strengthening, Upscaling & Nurturing Innovations for Livelihood (SUNIL) programme. DST received 40 proposals from State of Andhra Pradesh under the recent ‘Call for proposal’ launched during March-April, 2025. The proposals received under the call are being evaluated as per the extant process of the Department.

Under SUNIL programme, 7 Knowledge Institutions (KI) and 7 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) as project implementation partners have been supported during the last five years. The details of state-wiseimplementing agencies and funds disbursed under the SUNIL programme are as under:

S. No.

State Name

Implementing KI & NGO

Amount Released (Rs. in Lakhs)

2023-24

2024-25

State wise Total

Uttar Pradesh

85.95

–

85.95

Delhi

64.89608

74.00

138.896

Uttarakhand

93.975

–

93.975

Maharashtra

53.6253

40.00

93.6253

Karnataka

62.3332

–

62.3332

Tripura

77.42759

26.00

103.428

Rajasthan

20.00

12.64

32.64

DST disbursed an amount of Rs. 610.84 Lakhs till date for implementation of these projects and Rs.529.14 Lakhs was utilized by implementing agencies.

The projects supported under SUNIL programme are monitored regularly through Annual Performance Review, Group Monitoring Workshops and Field Visits to assess the progress and outcomes. Preliminary feedback from Expert Committee, Implementing Institutions & Principal Investigators indicates positive outcomes and impact in terms of capacity building and skill enhancement of EWS. Review further suggests enhanced livelihoods opportunities, income diversification via agri-tech & poultry, bamboo, water-efficient agriculture, adoption of ergonomically efficient technologies, support to grassroots innovations & sustainable S&T based rural enterprises in implemented areas.

This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.