(a) whether the Government had taken any decision in 2013 to wind up Council for Advancement of People''s Action and Rural Technology (CAPART);
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether there is any proposal to restart CAPART;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the reasons for the earlier winding up and the present proposal to restart CAPART?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The Group of Ministers, which had met on 21st August, 2013 to discuss creation of Bharat Rural Livelihoods Foundation (BRLF) had simultaneously recommended that the Ministry of Rural Development should come up with a plan to wind up Council for Advancement of People’s Action and Rural Technology (CAPART) within two years. This recommendation was confirmed by the Union Cabinet on 3rd September, 2013.
(c) to (e): No specific reason for the decision to wind up CAPART was given. The above development was discussed in the General Body of CAPART in its meeting held on 14th October, 2013 chaired by the Hon’ble Minister of Rural Development. It was decided that the issue of closure of CAPART needs to be re-examined. In the meantime, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) also submitted its final report in November, 2014 regarding restructuring of CAPART. Keeping in view the above, a Cabinet Note for reconsideration of the earlier Cabinet decision of 3rd September, 2013 has been prepared. The same will be submitted to the Cabinet.
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