HOW DOES ONE CONDUCT A SOCIAL AUDIT OF A SCHEME/PROGRAMME ? THE SPECIFIC EXAMPLE TAKEN FOR THE (NREGA) .

The process of conducting a social audit for specific schemes or programmes is described to help those from among the government and people's institutions, who want to organize a social audit and the specific examples are taken from the NREGA, however, though the general structure will remain the same for all schemes and programmes, specific changes will need to be incorporated for each schemes in order to accommodate the unique characteristics of each scheme. STEP(1) :-- Study the details of the scheme and familiarise oneself with all the provisions and requirements of the scheme and of the Right to information Act. STEP(2) Identify the various stages of the scheme, especially those where decisions have to be made, beneficiaries identified, sites selected strategies determined details specified etc.  STEP (3) :--For each of these stages identify the vulnerabilities in term so what can be wrong, what can be corrupted, what distortions can occur or what biases can creep in. STEP (4) :-- Identify for each stage the appropriate measures to be taken to ensure that the identified vulnerabilities are addressed through the relevant social audit mechanisms. These could include one or more of the measures listed and essentially includes making all relevant information available publicly ensuring that critical decisions are made jointly with the affected people and in their presence and that the process of verification, measurements and certification is done with the involvement of the affected people. STEP(5) :-- Identify the functionaries and the institutions that would be responsible for ensuring that the social audit is conducted and conducted properly. STEP(6) :--Call a meeting of the village/community and discuss the principles and method of social auditing in detail with them. STEP(7) :-- Ensure that the identified institution and functionaries complies with all the requirements of a social audit. STEP (8) :-- At the end of six months prepare for a public hearing or a Jan Audit Manch. In this manch the affected persons collectively review the process of social audit. Also reviewed is the progress of the scheme. The report and data related to the scheme are publicly verified and people are given an opportunity to discuss their problems with the Implementation institutions and understand their problems. The success of a social audit is dependent on the open and fearless participation of all the people-particularly the potential beneficiaries of the programme.