WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF A SOCIAL AUDIT AND HOW PEOPLE MAY BE AWARED ABOUT THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITHOUT PARTICIPATION, REQUIRED TO OBTAIN THE FINDINGS .

SCOPE OF A SOCIAL AUDIT:--Socisl audits are concerned not only the schemes and programmes but also on policies and laws and indeed on the functioning of a Public agency. The task of auditing is relevant right from the state when an issue or an approach is identified , through planning, implementation monitoring and evaluation and audits are done not only just of the decisions taken or the actions done(or not done) ,but also of the process followed . SOCIAL AUDIT AND INVOLVEMENT:-- The social audit is conducted over the life span of a scheme or programme, and not just in one go on one stage .The Activities that constitute a Social Audit include:-(a) Making people aware of their rights, entitlements and obligations under the scheme/programme .(b) Specifically making them aware of their right to participate in the ongoing process of social audit.(c) Making sure that all the forms and documents are in simple, easily understandable . language and structure and available in local languages.(d) Also ensuring that all relevant information is publicly displayed on boards and through posters and is also read out at appropriate times for the convenience of the people especially those who can not read .(e) Ensuring that the decision making process, especially for those decisions that are critical and/or vulnerable to distortions,is transparent and open and carried out as for as possible, in the presence of the effected persons .(f) Making certain that all decisions along with reasons as appropriate are also communicated as soon as they are made to the effected people and in manner that makes it easy for them to comprehend.(g) Where there is a need for measuring inspection or certification, ensuring that rendomly selected individuals from among the effected persons are involved on a rotational basis.(h) Also ensuring that members of the public and especially those directly effected are facilitated to inspect and verify records inspect works and generally monitor planning and implementation.(I) Where required to have a former Public hearing (Jan Audit Manch)where pertinent information is put before the Public and verified in consultation with the effected persons.(j) Ensuring that the findings of the social audit process are acted upon as they becomes available and that apart from addressing the specific issues , systematic changes are also brought about .