Award for Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development
A cash Award of Rs. two lakhs, a trophy and citation to be given annually to an individual / individuals for outstanding contribution in the field of application of science and technology for rural development, particularly for the benefit of the weaker sections of the people.
Application of science and technology for rural development may cover any one or more of the following fields/areas:
- Agriculture - improvement in land use - reclamation of waste land and schemes of land shaping; - multiple and new cropping patterns - improvement intechniques of cultivation, seeds agricultural tools and marketing facilities and methods - Post-harvest technology.
- Animal husbandry - improvement in livestock - Dairy; improvement in fodder supply, development of new fodder - Development of poultry, fish culture, etc.
- Rural and cottage industries - rural engineering.
- Afforestation for better environment - improvement in ecology through other measures.
- Health - supply of pure drinking - water- improvement in sanitation low cost balanced diet.
- Water-minor irrigation - water management including storage and conservation coupled with equitable distribution systems - repair and maintenance of water supply systems.
- Energy - Development of practical application of renewable sources like solar, wind and water power, gobar gas, introduction of improved / smokeless chulhas.
- Rural housing - Designing constructing and fabricating cheap and affordable houses in rural areas with emphasis on use of locally available material and use of local labour.
- Improvement in village roads, transport and communication systems.
- Rural Education - Improvement in communication systems- Computer technology- Literacy campaigns, Improvement in attendance, reduction of dropouts, etc.
(The list given above is only illustrative and not exhaustive. Areas of current national importance and priorities and also those activities which result in greater employment and income generation in rural areas may be given preference in selection.)
Criteria for Evaluation
In assessing the merits of individuals for the above two Awards, the overall impact and the spread effect of their work and the specific benefits accruing therefrom to the people, will be taken into account. In particular, the following will be considered: In what way and to what extent:
- The work done has helped the weaker sections of society including landless labour, migrant labour, slum dwellers etc. (Antyodaya)
- It has promoted increased productivity without displacing labour,
- It has led to fuller employment;
- It has brought about more equitable distribution and social equality
- It has motivated people towards self - help and self - reliance;
- It has provided training facilities for workers;
- It has removed drudgery and has helped in improvement of the quality of life of the people.