Pria: Introduction to Module 1

"For the people, of the people, by the people" Our country being a democratic and a Welfare state revolves around people. Government takes many decision keeping in mind. It formulates policies/programmes for the welfare of its people. Though planning is perfect keeping in mind the immediate needs of the people. There is huge gap in which WE the people still do not play a vital role. So there needs to be a check! Social accountability and responsibility is the need of the hour. Government is facing an ever growing demand to be more accountable and socially responsible and the people are becoming more conscious about their rights to be informed and to influence Government decision making. The concept of Social audit is very much the need of the hour. Hence the first module focuses on the following: • Develop a perspective on audits in general • Understand relevance of social audit • Understand different types of audits including social audit.

Best of luck for the module.

Dear Ma'am,

This may be a very late reply, apologies for that. This reply is basically is the continuation from the discussion forum in the introduction section.

I have done my MSW and since 2008 I am working in the social development field. I started working with the tribal population of Orissa and then shifted base to the urban social development in Chennai. Working for a year there, now I am working in Mumbai as a school social worker. Often I have to interact with the parent community who are residing in slum areas generally. So this course might help me in understanding the programmes that my organisation implements.

Jashosree

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From the introductory module, I have understood that Social Audit is an extension of Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation.

Given the particular situation in my country where we are pursuing an IMF structural adjustment programme, Social Audit is of great relevance to the Civil Society Organisations which have an interest in monitoring the implementation of the programme - particularly how money is being spent and the impact that it is having. I look forward to being able to make a contribution to the process on completion of this programme.

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Dear Sandra,

Kindly share your experience with us about the IMF structural adjustment programme. Also do mention how have you implemented the principles of Social Audit.

jashosree

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Jashoree,

Thank you for the question.

Social Audit is a new concept which is not yet been implemented in my country. However, there is a new project to be implemented by the World Bank which will introduce Social Audit. The project will set up a body comprised of Private Sector and Civil Society to be responsible for the overall social audit process. Training will first be conducted for these persons to prepare them for the process. There will also be accountability hearings.

In respect of the Structural Adjustment Programme, the agreement has not yet been finalized and the details of the programme has not yet been released. However, a number of " revenue enhancing" measures have already been announced and implemented - the most significant being in the significant increase in existing taxes and the introduction of new taxes, - significantly reducing people's income. It is also widely expected that there will be lay-offs in the public service. However, this is a very sensitive issue and the government may seek to do it by a policy of attrition over time rather than by retrenchment.

Hope this clarification helps!

Sandra

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Jashoree,

clarification - the project is to be financed by the World Bnnk and is implemented by the government.

Sandra

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Sandra, Great move by your country's government to use social audit. Is the audit going to be of the complete government audit or only of selected departments. Swathi

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Dear Ma'am,

I have one question. Can you please give me some more details on how social audit originated from CSR.

Jashosree

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Jashosree, Social Audit in simple terms mean post activity review. Social Audit is the audit of government for a social program done for the welfare of poor. Social audit is done whether the benefits of a welfare program has benefited the people or not. CSR - means that a company has to invest some part of its income for the welfare of marginalised. Recently, Companies Bill 2012 incorporates a provision of CSR where every private and public company has to invest 2% of their income towards some social and development activity for the poor. CSR has led to CSR reporting, ESG reporting, triple bottom line accounting etc. The audit of CSR reporting is performed by some third party. Hence both Social audit and CSR are very different in nature. I hope have clarified. Swathi.

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