Which section of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005(NREGA) provides for regular “Social Audit” ?

Correct option is C

Section 17 of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), 2005, mandates the conduct of regular Social Audits to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of the scheme. Social audits allow local communities to evaluate the effectiveness, expenditure, and implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

Key Provisions of Section 17 (Social Audit):
Mandatory social audit at the Gram Sabha (village assembly) level.
Public scrutiny of works undertaken, funds utilized, and beneficiary selection.
Community participation ensures transparency and reduces corruption.
The Gram Panchayat must conduct social audits every six months.
Social audits help in identifying irregularities and improving policy implementation.

Information Booster:
MGNREGS is the world’s largest employment guarantee program, ensuring 100 days of wage employment to rural households.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and civil society groups also play a role in monitoring social audits.
Andhra Pradesh pioneered social audits, making it a model for other states.
Regular social audits help in identifying fake job cards, wage delays, and fund leakages.
The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, strengthens social audit processes by making records public.