People’s Holistic Empowerment Can Be Achieved By A Rigorous Outcome Auditing Of Flagship Schemes

The point I am trying to make here goes beyond the dotted lines of governance and functioning of a department but fixing the accountability if the desired results are not achieved

A rigorous outcome auditing of flagship welfare and other capacity building schemes is essential for achieving holistic and sustainable empowerment of targeted groups. This will ensure that resources are being effectively utilized and that intended benefits reach the beneficiary populations.

By systematically evaluating the actual impact of such initiatives, policymakers can identify gaps, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement.

This approach will not only enhance transparency and accountability but will also drive better decision-making, making sure that the schemes are aligned with the real needs of society, ultimately leading to more inclusive growth and fostering economic, social, and cultural empowerment across all segments of the population.

Unfortunately, due diligence has never been the hallmark of the auditing exercises in our country. If the annual reports end up detailing a department’s profile, schemes and its year-long activities, the reports of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), as mandated by the Constitution of India, intend to “promote accountability, transparency and good governance through high quality auditing and accounting and provide independent and timely assurance to the Legislature, the Public and the Executive, that public funds are being collected and used effectively and efficiently.”

The CAG reports are tabled in the Parliament and State Assemblies but there is hardly any meaningful discussion in the House.

The point I am trying to make here goes beyond the dotted lines of governance and functioning of a department but fixing the accountability if the desired results are not achieved and in addressing the loopholes if detected in the processes and implementation of a scheme.

Let me explain with an example, which applies to all ordinary or flagship schemes of the Central and the state governments, meant for people, industries, or other stakeholders. On January 25, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) issued a statement of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment about PM Young Achievers’ Scholarship Award Scheme for a Vibrant India (PM YASASVI) for Other Backward Class (OBCs), Economically Backward Class (EBC) and Denotified Nomadic Tribes (DNT) students.

Under PM YASASVI, students can avail Pre-Matric Scholarship from Class IX to X and Post Matric Scholarship for their higher studies at post-matriculation or post-secondary stage.

Students who excel in their academics also get scholarships to study in top schools and colleges under ‘Top Class School Education’ and ‘Top Class College Education’ schemes. Hostel facilities are also provided to OBC students under the ‘Scheme of Construction of Hostels for OBC boys and girls.’ The question that arises here is: How many OBC, SC and DNT students have benefited from different attributes of PM YASASVI? Do we have an outcome audit report for every State and UT?

If we have a report, then we can see if the outcome is up to the mark or are the ongoing efforts sufficient enough to play a significant role in addressing the socio-economic and educational backwardness of OBC-EBC and DNT population?

As per the statement, Pre-Matric Scholarship is meant for OBC-EBC and DNT students studying in Class IX and X on a full-time basis in government schools and for those students whose family income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 2.50 lakh per annum. The students are given a consolidated academic allowance of Rs. 4000 per annum. During 2023-24, an amount of Rs. 32.44 crore has been released to States and UTs for implementation of the scheme till January 18. Is the outcome and spending in consonance with the colossal task to educate and empower OBC students? Certainly, not, but then who gives a damn!

Similarly, the Post-Matric Scholarship is awarded to OBC, EBC and DNT students studying at post-matriculation or post-secondary stage to enable them to complete their education provided their income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 2.50 lakh per annum. If eligible, they are entitled to academic allowance from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 20,000 as per the category of course. During 2023-24, approximately, Rs. 387.27 crore was released to States and UTs till January 18 towards implementing the scheme. Do we have an outcome audit report on how much this enabling measure has helped in improving their enrolment in higher education institutions and if so, then where is the outcome report?

According to the statement of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, under the Top-Class School Education scheme, premium education is provided to the meritorious students belonging to OBC, EBC and DNT categories by funding their education from Class IX onwards till they complete Class XII if their income from all sources does not exceed Rs 2.5 lakh per annum. Scholarship is awarded for tuition fee, hostel fee and other charges as required by the school, subject to a maximum of Rs. 75,000 per annum per student of Class IX and X and Rs. 1.25 lakh per annum per student of Class 11 and 12. Do we have an impact assessment report of this scheme in the public domain? How many families with annual income of Rs 2.50 lakh can afford the cost of higher secondary education in premium institutions even after availing themselves of benefits of the government scheme?

I would also like to refer to the Top-Class College Education scheme, which is aimed at promoting quality education among OBC, EBC and DNT students belonging to OBC, EBC and DNT categories by providing full financial support. The income of an eligible beneficiary’s family from all sources should not exceed Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum. Students, who secure admission in the notified institutions, are given scholarships to meet the requirements for full tuition fee and non-refundable charges. There is a ceiling of Rs. two lakh per annum per student for private sector institutions and Rs. 3.72 lakh per annum per student for the private sector flying clubs for Commercial Pilot Training and Type Rating Courses. Is the number of beneficiaries in proportion to their population so that there is any real uplift socially and educationally?

Talking about the construction of hostels for OBC boys and girls, the Ministry said that “the scheme aims at providing hostel facilities to students belonging to socially and educationally backward classes, especially from rural areas to enable them to pursue secondary and higher education in the government schools, universities, institutions and institutes located at a reasonable distance in order to provide them with greater access to high quality education. During 2023-24, Rs. 12.75 crore was released to States and UTs for the implementation of the scheme till December 2023.”

Is the amount adequate enough to make a tangible impact on the overall well-being of targeted groups? Perhaps, not!

I sincerely feel that there is a need for a rigorous auditing of the outcome of every scheme related to any sector in general and the welfare and empowerment of weaker sections of society in particular and see if the desired results are being achieved or not.

Will we ever do so as a nation? I have serious doubts.

(The writer is a senior journalist, author and columnist. The views expressed are strictly his personal)