Andhra Pradesh hosts first South India regional conference on social audit

Andhra Pradesh hosted the first-ever South India Regional Conference on Social Audit, earning acclaim for its pioneering practices in transparency and accountability in welfare schemes, according to G. Srikanth, Director of the A.P. Society for Social Audit, Accountability and Transparency (AP SAAT), Department of Rural Development.

The two-day conference, held on July 16–17 in Mangalagiri, brought together social audit and MGNREGS officials from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala. Delegates from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu participated on the first day, while officials from Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala attended the second day. Key discussions focused on enhancing transparency, sharing best practices, and strengthening accountability mechanisms in the implementation of social audits. Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj Principal Secretary Shashibhushan Kumar highlighted the State’s landmark initiative of livestreaming mandal-level public audits on YouTube, making it the first State in the country to do so. He also noted that Gram Sabha findings and other social audit data have been made publicly accessible online.

Mr. Srikanth reiterated the State’s commitment to conducting comprehensive audits and engaging directly with MGNREGS workers. He also underscored the use of cultural platforms to raise awareness about social audits among the public.

Participants and Central Rural Development officials praised Andhra Pradesh’s model, with many expressing intent to adopt similar practices in their respective States. The State was widely acknowledged as a national leader in social auditing.