Issues in Enforcing Accountability in Mahatma Gandhi NREGS: Study of Social Audit in Telangana

Abstract

Social audit is a pivotal tool for enforcing social accountability in the planning and implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. It involves comparing official records with ground realities to assess the achievement of objectives of the Act through correct processes. Social Audit is done by people with facilitation by independent social audit units established for this purpose. This paper is based on a study on the integrity of the social audit process in Telangana, facilitated by the Society for Social Audit, Accountability and Transparency (SSAAT). Key findings of this research are poor maintenance and provisioning of records by implementing agencies; non-transparent selection of Village Resource Persons (VRPs); unsystematic training of VRPs; inadequate community mobilisation and awareness efforts; absence of independent observers in most Gram Sabhas; low attendance and voice of wage-seekers in Gram Sabha; low transparency and people’s participation in Mandal level public hearing; postponement of Social Audit process; and non-reporting of some issues by resource persons. This research paper recommends optimal utilization of the resource persons; stringent actions in case of poor maintenance and non-provisioning of records; enhancement of resource fee for VRPs; training of trainers and quality monitoring of training; proactive disclosure of information; enhancement of community involvement and mobilisation; mandatory registration of grievances and issuance of receipts; a standard pictorial technical manual with the detailed methodology of verification; mandatory presence of Junior Engineer or Technical Assistant during worksite verification; stringent disciplinary action on independent observer not attending the Gram Sabha; and public hearing at Mandal level to be chaired by an official other than those from implementing agency.