The case for accessible audit data: tracking the effectiveness of Indian governance schemes
GI-ACE researcher Amrita Dhillon explores the challenges of aggregating audit data of…
Most countries have different agencies performing top-down audits and social audits. This project investigates the interaction between different types of audits and the effects on service delivery, using evidence on leakages in two major public works programmes across states in India.
To learn more about this project, contact Principal Investigator Amrita Dhillon.
A seminal study by Olken (2007) on monitoring corruption compared the efficacy of top-down versus bottom-up audits in 100 villages in Indonesia, focusing on road-building. This project questions whether the conclusion holds only for such public works that require expert audits. When considering workfare programs in India where the main expenditure category is wages for poor rural beneficiaries, we might expect that social audits work better. Evidence on leakages and audits across Indian states is used to answer this question.
The research is relevant for anti-corruption and audit agencies, as well as civil society organizations doing social audits who are interested in optimal audit design. It is relevant for Supreme Audit Authorities and third-party auditors, as well as governments interested in creating efficient systems for audit.
The methodology used in this project involves comparing different areas that have been exposed to top-down audits and social audits differentially across states in India to understand whether exposure to greater frequency / intensity of audits leads to better outcomes. The current audit methodology will be critically analysed to seek improvements in the audit process.
GI-ACE researcher Amrita Dhillon explores the challenges of aggregating audit data of…
GI-ACE researcher Amrita Dhillon explores compositie indicators across Indian states and what…
Takeaways from GI-ACE workshop on ‘Audit and Anti-Corruption Measures in India.’
Researcher Amrita Dhillon discusses GI-ACE project focusing on two major public works…