Tripura to conduct country's first social audit on NREGA

Agartala, Nov 23 (UNI) In a bid to ensuring people's participation in the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), the Tripura government has initiated a unique programme - Social Audit - to review its progress.

Addressing mediapersons here today, Union Rural Development Joint Secretary Brijeesh Pandey said Tripura was the first state in the country to coin the idea and the Rural Development Ministry had appreciated the move while proposing to replicate the model in other states if it was successful in Tripura.

He said as per the plan, the Gram Sabha would be convened with all the members at a time in all the Panchayats of the state on November 29 under section 17 of the NREGA, 2005, where all records related to the Act would be displayed for public inspection.

''The Gram Sabha has been instructed to make the perspective plan of NREGA with the participation of the panchayat public for their comments, objections and appreciation,'' Mr Pandey said, adding that the people had the full right to make suggestions for alteration or modification of the plan and express their dissatisfaction, if any.

The Gram Sabha was also instructed to take cognizance of each and every comment, suggestion and complaint and review it in a holistic approach.

District coordinators and programme officers were also instructed to give personal attention to the social audit exercise and subsequent results considering the mandates of the NREGA, Mr Pandey added.

UNI