Afridi, Farzana and Iversen, Vegard (2014) Social audits and MGNREGA Delivery: Lessons from Andhra Pradesh. India Policy Forum, 10 (1). pp. 297-341. ISSN 0972-9755

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Abstract

Using unique panel data assembled from official reports, we study the impact of social audits on Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act delivery in Andhra Pradesh. Within a dynamic framework where beneficiaries, auditors, and transgressors interact and learn, we find a positive but insignificant impact of audits on employment generation and a modest decline in the leakage amount per labor-related irregularity: outcomes with high beneficiary stakes. This occurs alongside an increase in material-related irregularities with lower beneficiary stakes. Although we find evidence suggestive of beneficiary “learning” and of audit effectiveness in detecting irregularities, repeated audits did not deter irregularities. This highlights the need for a time-bound process where transgressors are punished and responsibilities for follow-up of social audit findings laid out and credibly enforced.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	MGNREGA, NREGS, NREGA, Social Audits, Corruption
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF5601 Accounting
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Engineering & Science Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Livelihoods & Institutions Department
Last Modified:	30 Apr 2020 08:17
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/22033

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