DRDA Phek organises district-level social audit public hearing

DIMAPUR — The second phase of the district-level social audit public hearing for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was held in Phek town on Wednesday.

Organised by the Nagaland State Social Audit Agency (NSSAA) in collaboration with the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Phek, for the financial year 2023–24, the event was held at the DRDA conference hall, Phek.

A DIPR report mentioned that a total of 12 villages under the Sekruzu block, i.e., Ruzazho, New Ruzazhu, Phugwi, Dzulhami, Khutsami, Runguzu Nasa, Runguzu Nawe, Thevopisu, Chozuba, Suthozu Nasa, Zuthozu Nawe, and Khusomi, were audited during the day-long exercise.

Kelanu Thapo, district resource person, presented on the occasion the findings of the social audit, which were then reviewed during the public hearing. Issues related to mismatches between records in the management information system (MIS) and those in the RD block office, as well as concerns related to job cards, were also reviewed and discussed.

N Joshua Tikhir, EAC, representing the district administration as an observer, urged the RD department to take corrective measures for households without job cards identified in the villages. He also emphasised the importance of maintaining proper records at the village level.

The introductory speech was delivered by Imlirenla Sanglir, assistant director at NSSAA, social audit unit, emphasising the importance of social audit as an integral part of MGNREGA programmes and schemes.

Lakiumong Quinger, project director of DRDA, and Chitsoru Vasa, district block officer, provided responses and insights on the MGNREGA social audit discussions.

The event saw participation from MGNREGA beneficiaries, village functionaries, and village-level organisations.

Also read: Motorcycles with ice boxes distributed in Kohima to boost fish business