**Executive Summary**
Meghalaya Cabinet Minister Alexander Laloo Hek met with Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on May 25, 2026, to discuss expanding Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Hubs in the Northeastern region. The meeting focused on leveraging science-based interventions for the holistic development and livelihood support of Scheduled Tribe communities. Key action items include the examination of detailed proposals for future collaboration and expansion of these hubs in coordination with the Department of Science & Technology (DST).
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Expansion of STI Hubs**
* The discussions focused on broadening the reach of STI Hubs implemented by the DST to support tribal communities in the Northeast.
* The initiative aims to provide technology-enabled livelihood support and improve the quality of life in remote and underserved regions.
* Currently, 53 STI Hubs have been established across India to connect scientific innovation with community development.
**Strategic Objectives of the Initiative**
* The program is designed to address last-mile challenges in technology adoption through collaborative partnerships.
* Focus areas include skill development, grassroots entrepreneurship, and capacity building.
* The initiative promotes the deployment of locally relevant technologies specifically suited to regional requirements.
**Institutional Collaboration and Future Growth**
* There is a focus on strengthening institutional linkages between Central scientific bodies and local stakeholders.
* Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh encouraged Northeastern states to increase participation in the STI Hub initiative.
* Future expansion will involve the review of detailed proposals and programme components by DST officials.
**Impact Analysis**
**Tribal Communities in the Northeastern Region**
**Impact**
These communities stand to benefit from improved livelihood opportunities, skill development, and better access to technology solutions tailored to their regional needs.
**Action Required**
Communities and local networks need to participate in the adoption of technology solutions and engage with the STI Hubs for capacity building.
**Department of Science & Technology (DST)**
**Impact**
The department is the primary implementing body responsible for establishing hubs and ensuring scientific innovations reach underserved areas.
**Action Required**
Officials must examine detailed proposals from Northeastern states and coordinate for the future expansion of the scheme.
**Northeastern State Governments (e.g., Meghalaya)**
**Impact**
States have the opportunity for wider implementation of innovation-led community development initiatives and stronger ties with Central scientific bodies.
**Action Required**
State authorities are required to submit detailed proposals and programme components for future collaboration and expansion under the STI Hub scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs: An initiative implemented by DST to address last-mile technology challenges and provide livelihood support for Scheduled Tribe communities through science-based interventions.
Department of Science & Technology (DST): The primary central department responsible for establishing STI Hubs and coordinating innovation-led community development initiatives.
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology who leads the government's efforts in expanding STI interventions to tribal and remote regions.
Northeast India: The central geographic focus of the policy discussions for expanding scientific innovation and tribal development initiatives.
Alexander Laloo Hek: Meghalaya Cabinet Minister and Chairman Incharge State Projects who called for strengthening institutional linkages and STI outreach in the Northeastern region.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Meghalaya Minister Alexander Laloo Hek Calls
on Dr Jitendra Singh; Discussions Focus on
Expanding STI Hubs for Tribal Communities in
Northeast
Northeast Tribal Development Through Science and
Innovation Discussed in Meeting with Union Minister Dr
Jitendra Singh
Posted On: 25 MAY 2026 7:10PM by PIB Delhi
Meghalaya Cabinet Minister & Chairman Incharge State Projects, Alexander Laloo Hek today called on
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Minister of
State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Jitendra Singh, and
held detailed discussions on strengthening Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) interventions for
tribal communities in the Northeastern region.
The discussions centered around expanding the reach of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs
being implemented by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, for the
holistic development of Scheduled Tribe communities through science-based interventions and
technology-enabled livelihood support.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently worked
towards ensuring that the benefits of science and technology reach remote, tribal and underserved regions
of the country. He emphasized that innovation-driven initiatives can play a transformative role in
improving livelihood opportunities, skill development, grassroots entrepreneurship and quality of life in
tribal areas.
During the interaction, Dr Jitendra Singh explained that the STI Hubs initiative has been designed to
address last-mile challenges in delivery and adoption of technology solutions in tribal regions through
collaborative partnerships involving scientific institutions, local stakeholders and community networks.
The initiative also promotes grassroots innovation, capacity building and deployment of locally relevant
technologies suited to regional requirements.
The Minister further shared that the Department of Science & Technology has established 53 STI Hubs
across various States and Union Territories, including several tribal and Northeastern regions with the
objective of connecting scientific innovation directly with community development and sustainable
livelihood generation.
Alexander Laloo Hek apprised Dr Jitendra Singh about the immense potential of Meghalaya and the
Northeastern region for wider implementation of innovation-led community development initiatives. The
discussions also explored possibilities of strengthening institutional linkages between Central scientificbodies and local stakeholders for greater outreach of STI-based programmes in the region.
Dr Jitendra Singh encouraged greater participation from Northeastern States in the STI Hub initiative and
suggested that detailed proposals and programme components under the scheme may be further examined
in coordination with the concerned officials of the Department of Science & Technology for future
collaboration and expansion.
The Meghalaya Minister also invited Dr Jitendra Singh to visit the State in connection with upcoming
public welfare and development initiatives.*****
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