Social Audit Advisory Body (SAAB)

General Studies Paper -2

Context: The 1st meeting of the Social Audit Advisory Body (SAAB) was held recently.

About

• The Meeting was chaired by the Secretary, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment. 
• This advisory body, a first of its kind, has been established to guide the Ministry in institutionalizing social audits for its various schemes.
• Members:Representatives from key ministries and academic institutions are members of this advisory body.

What is Social Audit?

• Social Audit is the examination and assessment of a programme/scheme for comparing official records with actual ground realities. 
• It includes an audit of the quality of works being executed at different levels along with the details of disbursements made, the number of labourers employed and materials used.
• Objective:The basic objective of social audit is to ensure public accountability in the implementation of projects, laws and policies.
• Significance:Social Audits play an important role in bringing transparency and driving corrective actions based on valuable feedback from citizens.

National Resource Cell for Social Audit (NRCSA)

• The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has established the National Resource Cell for Social Audit (NRCSA)to ensure social audits through dedicated Social Audit Units at the state level.