Social Audit

Recently, the Centre has directed the states and Union Territories to carry out the social audit of the mid-day meal scheme in every district by November 30, 2022.

Also, according to the report titled ‘Social audit calendar vs. audits completed’ released on 13^th September 2022 by the Rural Development Ministry (MoRD), only 14.29% of the planned audits have been completed in this financial year.

• In the context of government schemes, a social audit is an accountability tool that measures, evaluates, identifies gaps in service delivery and elicits promises to rectify these gaps with the direct participation of intended beneficiaries in this process.

Social Audit in India: The 73rd amendment of the Indian Constitution empowers the Gram Sabhas to conduct Social Audits in addition to its other functions.