Question : Social Audits under MGNREGS

(a) the total number of social audits done by the Government under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) during the last two years;

(b) whether this number is low and if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government is considering placing social audits in the public domain so as to encourage transparency and if so, the details and timeframe thereof; and

(d) whether it is a fact that only 263 ombudsmen have been appointed till date against 715 possible appointments under the MGNREGS and if so, the reasons therefor along with the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a) & (b) State/UT-wise details of social audit planned and conducted under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) in the last two financial years 2019-20 and 2020-21 is given at Annexure I.

The mandatory processes for the completion of a Social Audit are the conduct of Gram Sabha. In the wake of Covid-19 pandemic, gathering of a large number of people in one place was not encouraged in view of the protection of public health. The States/UTs could conduct the Social Audit only in few pockets where Gram Sabhas could be convened as & when the Covid Guidelines permitted holding them. In such circumstances, States/UTs conducted concurrent social audits. State/UT -wise details of Concurrent Social Audit under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS for financial year 2020-21 is given at Annexure II.

(c) All reports of findings of Social Audit and the decision taken are available in the official website of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS.

(d) As on 16.03.2022, a total of 375 Ombudspersons have been appointment under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS. Central Government has now linked the recruitment of Ombudsperson with the approval of Labour Budget (LB) of next Financial Year.

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