Call to simplify social audit manuals

A two-day national consultation on social audit review of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) and other government schemes suggested simplification of the social audit manual prepared by the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD).

The event opined that the scope of social audit should extend beyond the NREGS. There is also a need for an independent commission and a collaborative framework for scaling up the social audit. The social audit and financial audit should be kept separate. Apart from statutory provisions, the central and state governments should immediately notify transparency and accountability rules.

The event was organised by NIRD to share the experiences and formulate modified guidelines to implement rural development schemes including NREGS.

Rajesh Tandon, president of Pria, a centre for learning and promotion of democratic governance, said circulars to respective state governments should be issued regarding social audit manuals where shortcomings were identified. The administration should provide information in an easy to use format.