Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Shri Giriraj Singh, is set to address the 2nd National Seminar on “Social Audit of Rural Development Programmes” scheduled for 26th September 2023. The event will be held at the prestigious Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, featuring key dignitaries and experts in the field.
Fostering Transparency and Accountability
The theme of this significant seminar is “Re-imagining Social Audit with a view to bring transparency and accountability.” The discussions and deliberations will revolve around the critical role of social audits in reshaping rural development programs, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in their execution.
Distinguished Guests and Participants
The event boasts an impressive lineup of attendees, including Union Minister of States for Rural Development and Steel, Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste; Union Minister of State for Rural Development & Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti; and Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil. The presence of these esteemed ministers underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing social audits.
Key Officials and Experts
Secretary Department of Rural Development, Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, and Joint Secretary (Mahatma Gandhi NREGA), Shri Amit Kataria, will also participate in the event. Additionally, senior officials from all State/UT Governments will grace the occasion with their insights and expertise.
Sharing Experiences and Best Practices
The seminar seeks to facilitate knowledge sharing by inviting experts and officials from various states to share their experiences regarding Social Audit. It is a valuable opportunity for the Director of Social Audit Units from States/UTs, along with State Resource Persons (SRP), District Resource Persons (DRP), and Block Resource Persons (BRP) of the State’s Social Audit Teams, to contribute to enriching discussions. Their experiences and best practices will serve as models for others to emulate.
Empowering Gram Sabha with Social Audits
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (Mahatma Gandhi NREGA) empowers Gram Sabhas to conduct regular social audits of all works and expenditures. This includes the facilitation of social audits through independent Social Audit Units, ensuring complete access to all records, both online and offline, and proactive disclosure through wall writings. The importance of social audits has extended to various other schemes, making it a critical tool for accountability.
Empowering Gram Sabha with Social Audits
To ensure the effective implementation of social audits, the Central Government, in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (C&AG), formulated the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Audit of Schemes Rules, 2011. These rules laid down the methodology and principles for conducting social audits in the States/UTs. Currently, 28 States/UTs have established Social Audit Units (SAUs), which are continuously encouraged to recruit and train essential staff at the State, District, and Block levels.
A Reflective Seminar
Building on the success of the first National Seminar held in November 2019, where social audit extended to major schemes administered by the Department of Rural Development, the upcoming event aims to review the status of Social Audit implementation across States/UTs. It will also devise a roadmap for reimagining Social Audits, emphasizing transparency and accountability. The Department of Rural Development is organizing this vital 2nd National Seminar on 26 September to advance the cause of rural development and governance in India.
