Social audit as a term was used far back in 1950s, meaning different to different people. Social Auditing is a systematic and objective procedure by which an organisation can measure and validate the social, community and environmental impact of its activities to its stakeholders. Social auditing creates an impact upon the functionality of the governance. It values the voice of stakeholders, including the voices of those who are rarely heard. It is taken up for the purpose of enhancing local governance, particularly for strengthening accountability and transparency in local bodies. In India, it is being used as tool to keep a check over the schemes and programmes run by government. Provisions under Right to Information Act 2005, The 73rd Amendment in Indian Constitution, National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (NREGA), etc. have laid down guidelines and methodology to conduct social auditing. Social auditing has its existence in the government sector in India, but no prominent signs are seen in the private sector. Social audit as a process needs to be strengthened, it has a long way to go.
Cite this article:
Suchitra Rathi. Social Audits in India: A Long Way to Go. Int. J. Ad. Social Sciences. 2018; 6(2):96-99. doi: 10.5958/2454-2679.2018.00009.9
Suchitra Rathi. Social Audits in India: A Long Way to Go. Int. J. Ad. Social Sciences. 2018; 6(2):96-99. doi: 10.5958/2454-2679.2018.00009.9 Available on: https://ijassonline.in/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2018-6-2-2