A two-day residential training programme aimed at strengthening the quality of social audits in Assam concluded in Guwahati, bringing together resource persons from across the state for skill enhancement and capacity building.
The refresher programme, held on May 2 and 3 at Golap Borbora State Institute of Panchayat & Rural Development (GBSIPRD) in Kahikuchi, was organised in collaboration with the Assam Society for Social Audit (ASSA) under the Government of Assam.
It focused on improving field-level competencies and ensuring more transparent and accountable social audit practices for the 2026-27 financial year.
Inaugurating the programme, Dr Arup Jyoti Kalita, Director of ASSA, highlighted the importance of social audits as a key mechanism for transparency and citizen participation in governance.
He emphasised that trained resource persons play a crucial role in bridging communities and administrative systems, ensuring that audit findings accurately reflect ground realities.
He also underscored the growing importance of integrating technology and digital tools to improve efficiency and credibility in audit processes.
A total of 186 Social Audit Resource Persons from different districts participated in the training, which covered a wide range of topics including legal frameworks, audit methodologies, community engagement, documentation practices, and ethical standards.
Sessions were conducted by experts from institutions such as the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, the office of the Accountant General Audit Government of India, GBSIPRD, the Department of Panchayat and Rural Development, ASSA, and Samagra Shiksha Assam.
The programme also incorporated practical components such as simulation exercises and case-based learning, along with training on the use of IT tools to support real-time validation and data-driven auditing.
Officials said the initiative is expected to strengthen the state's social audit framework by equipping resource persons with the skills needed to conduct more effective, participatory, and technology-driven audits in the coming financial year.