Daily Current Affairs : 28-November-2023
Recent data from the Ministry of Rural Development highlights the current state of social audits within the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). This essay explores the progress made, challenges faced, and the role of MGNREGA in promoting rural employment.
Progress of Social Audits in MGNREGS:
Overall Status:
- Among 34 States and Union Territories, only 6 have completed social audits for over 50% of MGNREGS works in gram panchayats. Leadership in Social Audits:
- Kerala stands out with 100% coverage, showcasing a comprehensive approach.
- Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh exceed the 50% mark in social audit coverage. Low Coverage in Poll-Bound States:
- States heading into elections, such as Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, show notably low social audit completion rates.
About Social Audit:
- Social audit involves the examination and assessment of a program or scheme with active community involvement.
- It serves as a tool for social transformation, community participation, and government accountability.
- Unlike financial audits, social audits focus on a program’s effectiveness in achieving social goals.
Social Audit Mechanism under MGNREGA:
Provision:
- Section 17 of MGNREGA mandates social audits for all program works.
- The Audit of Scheme Rules, 2011, outlines procedures and responsibilities. Challenges:
- Funding shortages, inadequate training, personnel shortage, and low recovery rates hinder the effectiveness of social audit units.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA):
Overview:
- MGNREGA, passed in 2005, guarantees the ‘right to work’ and aims to provide 100 days of wage employment to rural households.
- Implemented by gram panchayats, it prohibits contractor involvement.
- MGNREGA addresses economic security, rural assets, environmental protection, women’s empowerment, and social equity. Objectives:
- Provide 100 days of guaranteed wage employment.
- Increase economic security.
- Decrease rural-urban migration.
How MGNREGA Came to Be:
- Originating as the Employment Assurance Scheme in 1991, it evolved into MGNREGA in the early 2000s.
- Goals included employment generation, infrastructure development, and enhanced food security.
Features and Objectives of MGNREGA:
- Gram Panchayats have significant control in managing public works.
- Gram Sabhas can accept or reject recommendations from higher Panchayats.
- Emphasizes accountability, compliance, and transparency at all levels.
Important Points:
Social Audits in MGNREGS: Key Points
Progress of Social Audits in MGNREGS:
- Only 6 out of 34 States and Union Territories completed social audits for over 50% of MGNREGS works.
- Kerala leads with 100% coverage, showcasing a comprehensive approach.
- Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh exceed the 50% mark in social audit coverage.
- States heading into elections, like Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, show notably low social audit completion rates.
About Social Audit:
- Social audit involves the examination and assessment of a program with active community involvement.
- Serves as a tool for social transformation, community participation, and government accountability.
- Focuses on a program’s effectiveness in achieving social goals rather than financial scrutiny.
Social Audit Mechanism under MGNREGA:
- Section 17 of MGNREGA mandates social audits for all program works.
- The Audit of Scheme Rules, 2011, outlines procedures and responsibilities.
- Challenges include funding shortages, inadequate training, personnel shortage, and low recovery rates.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA):
- Passed in 2005 to guarantee the ‘right to work’ and provide 100 days of wage employment.
- Implemented by gram panchayats, prohibiting contractor involvement.
- Addresses economic security, rural assets, environmental protection, women’s empowerment, and social equity.
Objectives of MGNREGA:
- Provide 100 days of guaranteed wage employment.
- Increase economic security.
- Decrease rural-urban migration.
Features of MGNREGA:
- Gram Panchayats have significant control in managing public works.
- Gram Sabhas can accept or reject recommendations from higher Panchayats.
- Emphasizes accountability, compliance, and transparency at all levels.
Why In News
Recent data from the Management Information System (MIS) on Social Audit, maintained by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), sheds light on the progress and challenges of the social audit in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), emphasizing the need for enhanced transparency and community engagement to ensure the program’s effectiveness.
MCQs about MGNREGS Social Audits: Progress, Challenges, and the Role of MGNREGA
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What is the current status of social audits in MGNREGS?
A. Completed in all 34 States and Union Territories
B. Completed in 50% of gram panchayats in 6 States
C. Completed in 100% of gram panchayats in 10 States
D. Completed in 25% of gram panchayats in 15 States
-
Which state leads in social audit coverage with 100% of gram panchayats audited?
A. Gujarat
B. Kerala
C. Bihar
D. Jammu and Kashmir
-
what is a key challenge faced by social audit units in MGNREGS?
A. Excessive funding
B. Overstaffing
C. Lack of training and resources
D. High recovery rates
-
What does MGNREGA aim to provide according to the essay?
A. 50 days of guaranteed wage employment
B. 100 days of guaranteed wage employment
C. 200 days of guaranteed wage employment
D. 75 days of guaranteed wage employment
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