Question : SOCIAL AUDITS UNDER SAMPOORNA GRAMEEN ROZGAR YOJANA

(a) whether it is a fact that the social audit by the gram sabhas is one of the important transparency and accountability mechanisms under SGRY Scheme;

(b) if so, the details of such audits conducted and assessment reported by gram sabhas on SGRY works during the last three years and current year, State-wise;

(c) whether the Government is aware that the number of social audits conducted by the gram sabhas are very low; and

(d) if so, the reasons therefore alongwith the measures taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure social audits as a regular exercise by gram sabhas ?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SURYAKANTA PATIL)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) It is the responsibility of the State Governments to implement SGRY as per provisions contained in the Guidelines. Details of social audits through Gram Sabhas are not maintained at the Centre.

(c)&(d) Yes, Sir. It has been emphasised that social audit of all works need to be encouraged under the programme. To ensure more transparency and participation, for every work sanctioned under the SGRY, constitution of a Village Monitoring Committee has been made mandatory to monitor the progress and quality while work is in progress. The final report of the Committee would be attached along with the completion certificate of the work and would be placed in the next meeting of the Gram Sabha of the Panchayat where the work has been executed.