Friends,
I had conducted a Workshop and on "Social Audit-Road Map for Public Accountability" and the proceedings may be seen at the website of the Institute of Public Auditors of India at http://www.ipaiindia.org/.
Inspired by positive responses from Dr Mihir Shah Member Planning Commission and Shri Vinod Rai Comptroller and Auditor General of India, I contacted a NGO to formulate a proposal for the Planning Commission: copy is placed below. Approval is awaited and I will like to share it every one interested in effective public accountability at the grass roots, as a result of RTI Act.
It is my firm conviction that empowerment of villagers to hold grass-root public authorities accountable, is essential for successful implementation of development schemes. Rising levels of literacy and ICT penetration makes it possible to work towards effective democracy. "Pilot project" in few districts would throw light on further administrative interventions: hence the project for Planning Commission.
May the new year pave way for effective democratic participation.
Dhirendra Krishna
RESEARCH PROJECT
CAPACITY BUILDING FOR EFFECTIVE CITIZENS PARTICIPATION IN
MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES
1. LITERATURE REVIEW ON THE SUBJECT OF STUDY
a) Proceedings of " WORKSHOP ON SOCIAL AUDIT: ROADMAP TO EFFECTIVE PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY", Institute of Public Auditors of India, 26-27 July 2011. (http://www.ipaiindia.org/)
b) Report of the Task Group on Social Audit, submitted to C&AG in January 2010. (www.cag.gov.in/Social%20Audit.pdf)
c) Social Audit: Gram Sabha and Panchayati Raj, Report submitted to Planning Commission in October 2005, for making social audit an instrument of sustainable development. http://planningcommission.nic.in/reports/sereport/ser/stdy_sagspr.pdf
d) Inputs available in Decentralization Community, Solution Exchange about decentralization, social audit, RTI Act and evolution of Panchayati Raj Institutions in India at http://www.solutionexchange.net.in/, would be used in fine-tuning social audit guidelines.
e) Inputs relating to social audit of MGNREGA available in the web site of Ministry of Rural Development (http://nrega.nic.in/)
f) Information available in the Web sites of Government of India about Centrally Sponsored Schemes to trace their devolution to the State of Haryana, District plans of Gurgaon and Faridabad Districts in 2010-11, 2009-10 and 2008-09.
g) Village Swaraj and Sustainable Development http://www.gandhitopia.org/profiles/blogs/village-swaraj-and-sustainable
h) C K Prahlad: Strategy Opportunity at the Bottom of Pyramid. Lecture at Maastricht Institute of Technology on 20 May 2008 available on you tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJUjzT--HUk
i) C K Prahlad on India@75: Formulation of vision statement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=OePsehrAkZo
2. RELEVANCE AND NEED FOR STUDY
Government of India has formulated large number of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) that encompass every facet of development administration. Satisfactory implementation of these schemes at the grass roots, to meet the socio-economic needs in rural areas is vital for inclusive growth. Centrally sponsored schemes are implemented and monitored by the respective administrative departments and it is desirable to take a converged view at the implementation level. Social Audit is an instrument for encouraging public participation in democratic governance, by effective accountability of grass root public authorities involved in implementation of development schemes to the beneficiaries.
Public access to Government records under RTI Act 2005 has given rise to better-informed criticism of public administration systems. Social Audit and effective remedial action on findings of citizens who detect flaws after scrutiny of public records has gained increasing importance with (i) Rising level of literacy, (ii) Improved means of communication and (iii) Increased use of information technology for disclosure and dissemination of information.
Social Audit of MGNREGA has resulted in documented success stories of its efficacy in improving implementation. Audit of scheme rules framed by the Ministry of Rural development on 30th.June 2011, envisage institutionalized social audit of MGNREGA by Director of Social Audit, in each State. Social audit by Gram Panchayats is in place and it is regularly monitored through the web site of MGNREGA. Sustained measures ore needed to make social audit of MGNREGA more effective and to extend it to other development programs.
Proposed pilot study would help Planning Commission in formulating policy framework for improving the delivery of CSS by:
Ø Exploring institutionalized arrangement for improving public participation in implementing centrally sponsored schemes for socio-economic development.
Ø Social Audit of MGNREGA has replicable success stories and need to be adopted in other CSS. Research would lead to policy guidelines for social audit of all centrally sponsored schemes.
Ø At the village level, there is convergence of all development initiatives taken by central and state governments, although current monitoring and evaluation practices by implementing agencies are fragmented. Research project will explore formulation of comprehensive and holistic social audit guidelines, where the beneficiary of development schemes monitors all facets of District plan.
The study would aim at empowerment of Gram Sabha of the Panchayats of Gurgaon and Faridabad in Haryana State, to derive full benefit of the centrally sponsored schemes by:
a) Scrutiny of public records under RTI Act,
b) Mentoring and "action learning" to promote public participation in formulation, implementation and monitoring of schemes.
c) Demystification of development process initiated by CSS, to enable monitoring and evaluation by the intended beneficiaries.
d) Guidelines for mandatory disclosures by public authorities at the sub-District level, under section 4 of RTI Act 2005, and
e) Suggestion regarding institutional support, to promote citizen participation.
3. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Specific
Ø Empowerment at village level
Ø Effective public accountability of grass-root public authorities
Ø Improved delivery of Centrally Sponsored Schemes
Measurable
Ø Social audit guidelines.
Ø Recommendations on disclosure and dissemination of information under section 4 of RTI Act, by grass root public authorities.
Achievable:
Ø Pilot project for in-depth study of limitation of effective citizen participation in implementing socio-economic development schemes at village level.
Ø Practical recommendations relating to transparency, public accountability and social audit.
Relevant :
Ø Success of development schemes is hampered by lack of citizen participation.
Ø Social Audit may promote feed back from beneficiaries and corrective measures.
Time bound: Project would be completed in 8 months.
4. STRATEGIES
o Capacity building of Panchayats, for involvement is schemes of socio-economic development.
o Organization Development in grass root public authorities, for transparency, accountability and pro-active role in promoting democratic governance and involvement of citizens.
o R&D: Out-of-the box thinking and evolving innovative measures for development administration.
o Advocacy: Empowerment of beneficiaries of centrally sponsored schemes, to participate in monitoring, evaluation and social audit.
o Victim-support-strategy There is growing cynicism by citizens who believe that they are victims of corrupt governance processes. This psychological bottleneck can be overcome by involving beneficiaries of centrally sponsored schemes in their implementation, to foster democratic participation. Training inputs are needed to enable wider appreciation of development initiatives and monitoring/evaluation be beneficiary.
o Micro-finance: A replicable example has been set in social audit of MGNREGA, where a percentage of outlay is earmarked for expense on social audit by Society for Social Audit, Transparency and Accountability (SSAAT). Similar initiatives are needed for promoting citizen participation in other schemes.
o Participatory infrastructure development strategy: Transparency and public accountability envisaged in Right To Information Act 2005, implies pro-active measures by grass-root public authorities. This aspect has not received due attention. There is need for developing infrastructure for participatory democratic governance, by improving disclosure and dissemination of information that enables beneficiaries of development schemes to hold grass-root public authorities accountable for results and outcomes.
5. HYPOTHESIS TO BE TESTED
a) Effective public participation at village level would improve the implementation of centrally sponsored schemes.
b) Disclosure and dissemination of information at District and sub-district level under section 4 of RTI Act would lead to effective public accountability and improve delivery system.
c) Institutional support by State Government is required to ensure action on the findings of social audit by beneficiary of development schemes.
d) Training inputs are required to facilitate democratic participation of beneficiaries in monitoring and evaluation.
6. REFERENCE PERIOD / BASE YEAR FOR PROPOSED STUDY: FY 2010-11, 2009-10 and 2008-09.
7. RESEARCH DESIGN
o Selection of 40 rural youth in Gurgaon and Faridabad for participation in the project as "Village Representatives (VRs)."
o Preliminary discussions with VRs to (i) Understand their needs, aspirations and priorities for socio-economic development and (ii) Explain District development plans in general and following illustrative Centrally sponsored schemes:
i. MGNREGA
ii. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan & Right To Education Act
iii. NRHM
iv. Schemes for sanitation and water supply.
v. Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana.
vi. Irrigation schemes.
vii. Schemes for agricultural and horticulture development.
viii. Schemes for technical education and industrial growth.
o VRs would examine the public records about development schemes and raise relevant issues with District and Sub-District authorities. State Government would be requested to direct District authorities to suo-moto provide relevant records, under section 4 of RTI Act. If any additional information were needed, Village Representatives would file applications under RTI Act.
o VRs would examine the public records about development schemes and raise relevant issues with District and Sub-District authorities. Expert guidance would be provided in scrutiny of Government records, for monitoring and evaluation of development schemes.
o Structured training inputs would be provided to VRs to enable them to evaluate development schemes and suggest improvements in implementation.
o VRs would submit their findings to the Panchayat for further follow-up with concerned authorities.
o Project in selected villages in Gurgaon and Faridabad would result in documentation in simple language, to facilitate involvement of beneficiaries in implementing development schemes Districts. This would include
§ Directions to grass-root public authorities about suo-moto disclosure about development schemes, under section 4 of RTI Act 2005.
§ Social audit guidelines and case studies, in simple language to enable replication, adoption and refinement in other villages.
o TO SUM UP: Projects aims at capacity enhancement for ensuring citizen-centered development initiatives by the Government, by democratic participation in formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
8. MAJOR VARIABLES FOR DATA COLLECTION
Government of Haryana would be requested to direct District and sub-district level authorities to co-operate and support this project. Concerned Block Development Officers would be asked to ensure the success of the project, by pro-active disclosure and dissemination of information about development schemes, as required under section 4 of the RTI Act.
9. TABULATION ARRANGEMENT
Data regarding development schemes during last three years, according to the records, would be crosschecked with physical progress. Panchayat Representative would also study whether future plans reflects the needs of the village.
10. CASE STUDY The study would document (i) Simplified version of development schemes, account, budget and progress reports that can be understood by Aam Aaadmi, (ii) Evolving easy-to-implement solutions to promote democratic participation by educated persons in rural areas in the development process and (iii) Treating social audit of development schemes performed under expert guidance as a training tool, recording case studies to enable replication.
11. STAFFING PATTERN
Project Director. Captain Krishan Sharma, Chairman Vision Foundation of India, New Delhi Phone 0910646657. Email captkrishan@yahoo.com.
Project Advisor Shri Dhirendra Krishna, (d.o.b. 19.8.1940), a former officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Phone 9871440814. Email: dhirendra.krishna@yahoo.com.
Two Village Coordinator
Ø Shri Vinod Kumar, Village Abhaypur, Sohna Block, District Gurgaon. Phone 9910025975; Email khatana_vinod@yahoo.co.; Education studying for graduation by correspondence course. He plays an active role in the Panchayat and well versed in use of computers
Ø Shri Sunil, Village Mangar, P O Dhauj, District Faridabad. Phone 9811535157,Email sunilharsana@yahoo.com is 10th class pass well versed in computer and graphic design. He is Secretary of Village Development Committee
12. Village Coordinators would help in selecting 40 youth in Gurgaon and Faridabad as VRs. Computer literate persons would be preferred. VRs may be suitably rewarded by the Panchayats for the services rendered. They would perform following functions and get suitable certificate from the "Vision of India", that may help in their career :
Assist in the project.
Access records relating to development schemes.
Analyze the records with the help of Project Advisor and inspect physical progress on the ground.
Present their findings to the Panchayat.
Help Panchayats in follow up corrective action by concerned administrative authority.
Assist Project Advisor in documenting case studies.
14. BUDGET: The project would require grant of Rs 8,00,000, as per enclosed details.
15. TIME FRAME / PROJECT DURATION: Eight months. An Internet group would be formed after the initial work, to enable similar projects in other Districts.
16. BIO DATA OF PROJECT DIRECTOR
Captain Krishan Sharma, (d.o.b. 23.1.1949 ) Project Director, is a former commercial pilot. He has served abroad for over 14 years and was very active in community work amongst NRIs in USA. He is Managing Director and Joint Editor of India Post; a news weekly popular amongst NRIs and reports on developments in India. He has formed Vision of India, a non-profit organization in 1995. He has earned enormous goodwill by successful projects Gurgaon and Faridabad District, as large numbers of youth have gained productive employment by vocational and computer training, organized by the Vision of India.
17. BIO DATA OF ADVISOR
Shri Dhirendra Krishna ( d.o.b. 19.8.1940) is a retired officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service of 1964 batch. He has initiated Internet groups' rti4empowerment and rti4ngo. He has been awarded M.Phil degree in First Division by National Defence College and University of Madras in 2011, on a thesis on effective democratic participation in development projects in Naxalite hit areas, to support anti-terrorism strategy. He has conducted training programs in RTI, project management, contract management, corporate governance, internal audit, internal controls and public audit.
He organized a Workshop on SOCIAL AUDIT-ROADMAP FOR EFFECTIVE PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY on 26-27 July under the Institute of Public Auditors of India, where Dr Mihir Shah Member Planning Commission and Shri Vinod Rai, Comptroller and Auditor General of India invited proposals for project. This project has been formulated accordingly.
18. BRIEF ABOUT THE INSTITUTION
"Vision of India" was constituted as a registered society in 1989, to create awareness amongst rural people and to integrate them into the mainstream. This NGO aims at self-sufficiency through integrated rural program and provides infrastructure to facilitate grass-root development. Young man and women are trained and motivated, to work towards self-sufficiency. Training in technical skills to large number of persons has already resulted in generating employment for 5,500 village youth. Some of the major thrust areas of our activities are basic education, preventive health care, and development of local arts and crafts. Development activities with demonstrated results have resulted in enormous goodwill. Details are at the web site: http://visionofindia.org/.
Brief note about Vision of India with copy of few illustrative pictures, latest orders Director of Income Tax (Exemptions) Delhi, Certificate of Registration under Society Registration Act, Memorandum of Association and Audited accounts of 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 are enclosed.
Dhirendra Krishna IA&AS (Retired) Krishan Sharma
Project Advisor Project Director,
C-4, Usha Niketan Chairman, Vision of India
Safderjung Development Area 691 Asiad Village
New Delhi-110016 New Delhi-110049
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