Reviewing the Social Audit Unit’s annual action plan, Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel approved the 2026-27 budget, emphasized time-bound disposal of audit objections, and called for stronger public participation and institutional reforms to enhance accountability in the implementation of rural development schemes.
TFP Bureau, Raipur, June 30,2026: Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel on Tuesday directed officials to ensure prompt and point-wise resolution of objections raised during social audits, stressing that transparency and accountability are essential for the effective implementation of government welfare schemes.
Chairing the General Body meeting of the Chhattisgarh Social Audit Unit at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan, the Chief Secretary said public participation should be strengthened during social audits, describing them as an important tool for empowering Gram Sabhas and ensuring greater accountability at the grassroots level.
He also instructed that all District Collectors must present social audit reports before Gram Sabhas, enabling local communities to review the implementation of development schemes and participate in corrective action.
During the meeting, members held detailed discussions on the Social Audit Unit’s annual action plan for the financial year 2026-27. The plan envisages conducting social audits across all Gram Panchayats for major welfare programmes, including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), and the National Social Assistance Programme.
The General Body reviewed the progress of social audit activities carried out during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 financial years and approved the action plan and budget for 2026-27. Discussions also focused on strengthening the Social Audit Unit through institutional reforms and partnering with development agencies to introduce innovative and quality-driven audit practices.
The meeting further examined proposals for allocating development funds from various government schemes to expand the capacity of the Social Audit Unit. Members also discussed the adoption of revised provisions related to social audits under the updated MGNREGA framework and approved the filling of various posts, in accordance with prescribed rules, to support social audit activities under the Panchayat and Rural Development Department.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Richa Sharma, Principal Secretaries Sonmani Borah and Shahla Nigar, Secretaries Siddharth Komal Pardeshi and Rajesh Sukumar Toppo, along with members of the General Body of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department and the Chhattisgarh Social Audit Unit.
