New portal for social auditing of rural schemes launched

📌 Summary:

• Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the AI-enabled ''Rural Internal Audit Portal'' at the Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan (June 28), ahead of the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G] rollout from July 1
• The portal is a unified digital platform for end-to-end management of both risk-based and compliance internal audits; conceived by the Office of the Chief Controller of Accounts (RD Ministry) and developed with the National Informatics Centre (NIC)
• It transforms internal audit from a fragmented, paper-intensive, manual exercise into a transparent, technology-enabled, data-driven system
• Chouhan cited past MGNREGA irregularities (machines used instead of labour, muster-roll errors, fake attendance) that caused fund misappropriation
• Reforms: working days raised from 100 to 125 under the revamped scheme; greater role for local self-governments
• The two-day conclave covers VB-G RAM G, PMAY-Gramin, NRLM, PMGSY and NSAP

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 — transparency, accountability and e-governance in welfare delivery; social audit of rural schemes.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• VB-G RAM G replaces the MGNREGA framework; effective July 1, 2026
• Rural Internal Audit Portal developed by NIC for the Ministry of Rural Development
• Working days raised from 100 to 125
• Schemes discussed: PMAY-G, NRLM, PMGSY, NSAP

🔑 Key Term: Social audit — public examination of a scheme''s implementation and spending to ensure accountability.