The Gujarat government on Monday announced a scheme to boost new technology demonstration and pilot deployment under the Innovation Fund. The policy named Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) will incentivise startups with an aim to evolve solutions to complex issues of the public sector.

Targeted to the public sector, the innovators will design and develop solutions, which otherwise cannot be implemented in the public sector due to lack of adoption opportunities or procedural challenges. Announcing the scheme, J N Singh, chief secretary, Government of Gujarat, said, "State Government has announced a 'Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy, under which a dedicated Innovation Fund of Rs 50 crore has been created. The fund will cater to the requirements of two schemes – one for supporting research and development and the other for pilot deployment and testing of technologies. This will go a long way in differentiating Gujarat Government’s approach to the STEM – specifically the R&D and Innovation in the state”.

The new scheme on Technology Demonstration and Pilot Deployment programme will be implemented by the Gujarat Council on Science & Technology (GUJCOST) under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat. Pilot deployment for complex solutions will open up a huge public sector for the start-up ecosystem.

For the government it will allow low cost testing for such innovations before the government commits for commercial solutions. It will also allow the state to find solutions to problems complex in nature and specific to the state’s environment such as Solid Waste Management, Liquid Waste Management, Urban Planning, Urban Mobility, pollution abatement etc.

"The Innovation Fund will inspire the faculties and scientists working in the research lab and university departments in the State to conduct research and development in emerging fields of Science & Technology and address the state specific challenges," Singh stated while inaugurating the newly built 49000 sq feet ‘Vigyan Bhavan’ at Ahmedabad Science City. For this a separate research support scheme has already been announced by which a research proposal can be funded up to Rs 50 lakh for three years, he added.

The scheme will reduce the time required for R&D and encourage not to re-invent the wheel again. Start ups, SMEs and Entrepreneurs having proven technology can apply to test their unique technologies meant for public sector only through this scheme. A Technical Advisory Committee will evaluate such proposals for uniqueness and desirability, whereupon an empowered committee headed by the Chief Secretary will approve such pilot deployments.

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