Current Affairs 24-NOV-2023 (The Hindu)

Social Audit

(D => Pg-14)

Social Audit

Process of monitoring and verifying the implementation of government schemes by the local people along with officials.

Purpose

• To identify the priorities and preferences of the local people.
• To verify whether the schemes effectively serve public interest.

Example:

MGNREGA Scheme

• 2005 - Launched under MGNREG Act, 2005.
• Job guarantee to rural households.
• Strengthening rural economy by creating infrastructure assets.
• Section 17 of MGNREG Act mandates conducting social audits of all MGNREGA works.

Origin of Social Audit in India

• First-time recognition - 73rd & 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.
• Constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies.
• Provisions in Acts enable local authorities to perform social audits.
• 9th Five Year Plan (1997-2002) advised conducting social audits for effective functioning of Panchayat Raj Institutions.
• MGNREG Act, 2005 made social audits mandatory for all works under the scheme.
• Other schemes where social audit is mandatory: National Rural Livelihoods Mission, National Social Assistance Programme, Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana.

Significance of Social Audit

• Ensuring transparency and accountability in implementing government policies.
• Discovering corruption or malpractices.
• Encourages participatory democracy.
• Helps get real-time feedback on the outcomes of the schemes.
• Identifying the preferences of the local people.

Challenges in Conducting Social Audit

• Corruption - submission of fake reports.
• Not following proper rules while conducting social audits due to difficulty in understanding rules and lack of technical knowledge.
• No provision for penalties if the auditing people fail to adhere to the rules.
• No proper institutional mechanism to conduct and monitor social audits.
• No incentives for people involved in social audits.

Practice Question – Mains GS – III

Discuss the significance of conducting social audit of government schemes and policies. What are all the challenges that hinder the process of social audit in India? (150 words, 10 marks)

Folk Music

(C => Pg-8)

Folk Music

Genre of music passed from generations over several years mainly through oral means. Music of the people, with no hard and fast rules. It encompasses a variety of themes and is full of musical rhythm, often set to beats suitable for dance.

Features

• Musical compositions cannot be traced to a specific source.
• Some compositions consist of classical ragas.
• Reflection of rural society and culture.
• Involves increased repetition.
• Famous themes include agriculture songs, caste songs, region songs, children's songs, songs of gods and goddesses, and local songs.

Villu Paatu

• Meaning "bow-song."
• A form of musical theatre where stories of Ramayana are narrated using bow-shaped instruments.
• The main storyteller narrates the story by striking the bow.

Practice Question – Prelims

A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their,

a) Martial arts in North-East India

b) Musical tradition in North-West India

c) Classical vocal music in South India

d) Pietra dura tradition in central India

Chalukyas

(C => Pg-4)

Chalukyas

Badami Chalukyas

• Earliest Chalukyas with the capital at Badami.
• Ruled from the mid-6th century.

Eastern Chalukyas

• Emerged after the death of Pulakesin II in Eastern Deccan.
• Capital at Vengi, ruled till the 11th century.

Western Chalukyas

• Descendants of Badami Chalukyas.
• Emerged in the late 10th century, ruled from Kalyani.

Important Rulers

• Pulakesin I - founded the empire.
• Kirtivarman I - conquered Konkan & northern Kerala.
• Mangalesha - conquered the Kadambas and the Gangas.
• Pulakesin II (609 AD - 642 AD)
• Xuanzang visited his kingdom.
• Hindu but tolerant of Buddhism & Jainism.
• Conquered entire south-central India.
• Stopped Harsha in his tracks.
• Defeated Pallava king Mahendravarman I.
• Killed by Mahendravarman’s son and successor Narasimhavarman I.

Administration

• Great maritime power.
• Diplomatic relations with the King of Persia Khusru II.
• Well-organized army.
• Boost to Kannada and Telugu literature.
• Sanskrit along with the local languages thrived.
• Temples are a good example of the Vesara style of architecture.

Practice Question – Prelims

Hiuen Tsang visited Chalukyan kingdom during the reign of

a) Pulakesin I

b) Vikramaditya

c) Pulakesin II

d) Kirtivarman II