A social audit of various Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) schemes was conducted on Monday in five Gram Panchayats of Phullidumar block in Banka district. A Gram Sabha-cum-public hearing, organized through the Panchayat Nirnay app, discussed shortcomings found in the implementation of these schemes and issued directives for their rectification within a stipulated timeframe. The public hearings were held in Kaitha, Khesar, Bhitia, Phullidumar, and Kenduar Panchayats.

In Kaitha Panchayat Sarkar Bhawan, Block Mukhiya Sangh President Chandan Kumar presided over the meeting. Similarly, Mukhiyas Champa Devi (Khesar), Babita Bharti (Bhitia), Simon Marandi (Phullidumar), and Banwari Tanti (Kenduar) chaired the public hearings in their respective panchayats. A large number of villagers participated, presenting their problems and suggestions related to MGNREGA schemes to officials and representatives.

Several important decisions were made during the social audit. These include immediately addressing the shortage of saplings in plantation schemes, installing information boards within a week where they are missing, issuing job cards to laborers interested in working under MGNREGA, and promptly putting up information plaques for GC (Group Community) schemes. Necessary instructions were also issued to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the operation of the schemes. Members of the social audit team, including Laxmi Kumari and Sandeep Kumar, along with MGNREGA staff, panchayat representatives, and local villagers, were present. Officials stated that the main objective of this audit is to enhance transparency, accountability, and public participation in MGNREGA schemes, thereby ensuring that the benefits of government schemes effectively reach eligible beneficiaries.