(a) whether CAPART gave a financial assistance of more than Rs.13.21 lakhs to rural
development projects through Artisans International Foundation one of the
NGOs;
(b) whether the NGO failed to use the funds sanctioned for the purpose; and
(c) if so, the action taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SURYAKANTA PATIL)
(a) Yes, Sir. CAPART sanctioned Rs.16.71 lakhs and released Rs.13.21 lakhs to the
NGO, viz Artisans International Foundation for implementing rural development
projects.
(b) Yes, Sir.
(c) The NGO has been blacklisted and FIR has been filed against it with the local
police for the recovery of the misutilised grant.