Expectations from social audit of MGNREGA

Mahatma Gandhi NREGA boasts of a robust system of Social Audit in order to ensure transparency and accountability. I was asked, what are your expectations from the Social Audit? I was trying to figure out some answer. The product is this presentation.

2. PROCESSES
Social Audit must follow the processes
as enumerated in the Government of
India published Rules governing SA
Emphasis is on
formation of Social Audit Teams
Intensive training of social auditors
Social audit in every Gram Sansad

3. PROCESSES
Data collection, pre-audit
Field visit and consultation
Data analysis and interpretation
Social Audit Gram Sabha
Presence of key officials/ functionaries
in SA GS

4. PRODUCTS
Gaps in implementation identified
In case of defalcation, the extent of
defalcation identified
Responsibilities fixed
Recovery ordered and effected
Action recommended to the DPC
Action taken
ATR uploaded on the MIS

5. What the SA Teams are to
look into
Registration
Demand
Allocation
Worksite facilities
Payment mechanism
Output vis-à-vis expenditure
Supervision, record keeping and monitoring

6. REGISTRATION
Is there any gap between demand and
registration of Job Cards?
Are Job cards received within stipulated time?
Are all willing adult members, especially
women being registered?
Are photographs affixed on the Job Cards?
Is there any public grievance on JC
registration?
Any fees/ charges taken for registration/
photographs?
…

7. DEMAND
What is the mechanism for demand
registration?
Dated receipts against demand given?
Demands entered into the system?
What about the seasonality of
demand?
What about the recurrence of
demands?
Whose demand counts?
…

8. ALLOCATION OF WORK
Demand based allocation or
allocation-driven demand?
Allocation within 15 days of demand?
Communication of allocation?
Distance of worksite?
In case of distance >5 KM, what about
extra 10%?
Allocation to women wage seekers?
…

9. WORKSITE FACILITIES
Shade?
Drinking water?
First aid facilities?
Crèchesfor children?
Are these on paper or actually
existing?
Whataboutoldandinfirmwage-
seekers’engagement,especiallyin
managing worksitefacilities?

10. PAYMENT MECHANISM
Attendance?
Supervisors?
System of measurement?
How transparent is the measurement
system?
Output based measurement?
Gaps in payment?
Time lag?
What are reasons for the time lag?
What about Bank/ Post Office?
Compensation for delayed payment?
…

11. OUTPUT VIS-À-VIS EXPENDITURE
Musters record tallies with the field
testimony?
Materials record tally with the field
testimony?
Is the asset visible?
Does it tally with what is shown on record?
What are people’s perceptions?
If there are gaps in output vis-à-vis
expenditure can the quantum be assessed?
Quantum of anomalies? Defalcation?
Responsibility ???
…

12. SUPERVISION, RECORD KEEPING AND
MONITORING
Who are the Supervisors?
Are they trained?
Are they performing their duties properly?
Are Job Cards updated regularly?
What about citizens’information board at
worksite?
Are wage seekers informed about the
measured quantity of work?
What about worksite photographs?
Grievance redressing mechanism?
…

13. …
Thanks