The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment recently launched a new initiative, Information-Monitoring, Evaluation, and Social Audit (I-MESA), in the 2021-22 financial year. This move is garnering considerable attention due to the important role it will play in evaluating the effectiveness of various schemes under the department.
Unpacking the I-MESA Scheme
Initiated in FY 2021-22, I-MESA is obligating social audits for all schemes run by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. The process will be implemented with the assistance of Social Audit Units (SAU) across various states, alongside the National Institute for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.
Significant Schemes under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
The Ministry runs multiple programs aimed at economic development and self-employment, as well as promoting social empowerment. A few of these key schemes include Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for the Scheduled Castes, National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation, and Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Caste Sub Plan. Additionally, the ministry also holds initiatives like the Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers and Venture Capital Fund For Scheduled Castes.
Understanding Social Audits
A social audit is a joint review of a scheme by both the government and the beneficiaries of the initiative. It serves as an efficient tool to ensure transparency, accountability, and active public participation in relevant schemes. The foremost act to mandate a social audit was the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act; directed by the Gram Sabha for their local projects. Presently, most states have independent Social Audit Units that also permit audits in other programs like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and the Midday Meal Scheme.
Issues Faced by Social Audits
Despite the potential benefits of social audits, a few hurdles have arisen that hamper their execution. There’s a noticeable lack of sufficient administrative and political will to institutionalize social audits, leading to their independence being compromised by implementation agencies. Participants in the process often face resistance and struggle to access primary records, further impeding the audit process.
Moreover, public participation remains low due to a lack of comprehensive education, awareness, and capacity building. Another major concern is the absence of an independent agency responsible for investigating and acting upon findings from the social audit.
Improving the Social Audit Framework
For a robust social audit system, several recommendations have been proposed. These include wider campaigning by citizen groups to strengthen social audits and increase accountability of the political executive and implementing agencies. Interactive training programs are needed to educate stakeholders on conducting social audits and presenting the reports at the Gram Sabha. The audit system would also greatly benefit from endorsement and support from multiple authorities, creating an institutionalized framework free from interference by vested interests.