Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG)

Why in news?

• Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj has informed Lok Sabha about the achievements of the Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG).

About Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG):

• It is a mission conceptualized by the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) in 2003-04.
• It aims to provide a higher level of science and technology intervention and support for the development and dissemination of appropriate technologies for rural areas.
• RuTAG is centered in 7 IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, and Roorkee) at present.

Objectives:

• To identify the technology needs for rural areas
• To identify available technology solutions and problems encountered in adopting the existing technology at grass root level
• Find technology solutions through government agencies , S&T institutions, S&T NGOs, academic institutes, corporate sectors and other voluntary agencies
• Disseminate refined technology to rural areas.

Add ons:

• RuTAG acts as a synergizing and catalyzing mechanism for rural technology development and delivery and NOT a major funding mechanism.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following statements regarding Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG):

1. It funds research activities in agricultural universities

2. It aims to identify the technology needs for rural areas

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer