Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: The social audit units responsible for detecting corruption and malpractice in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) have shown poor performance in terms of fund recovery, raising concerns about the scheme’s credibility.
- In the ongoing financial year, these units flagged misappropriation of over ₹27 crore, but only about ₹1 crore (about 14%) has been recovered so far
- Several states have reported “zero cases” and “zero recoveries” over the past three years.
- The situation has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the MGNREGS audit process and its ability to combat corruption effectively.
About social audit units:
The social audit units, mandated by the MGNREGS Act, are responsible for monitoring and identifying malpractice independently of the implementing authorities. However, their performance has been hampered by inadequate funds, training, and personnel
