The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has completed a performance audit of the implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREG) programme in 68 districts across 26 states, where the programme was introduced in the first phase.

This was disclosed by minister of state in the ministry of rural development Chandra Sekhar Sahu in reply to a written question whether CAG had examined National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in 70 districts, in the Rajya Sabha.

The ministry of rural development, which received a CAG's draft report in December 2007, subsequently invited responses from these states, which have now been forwarded to CAG for finalising the performance audit report on the implementation of NREG audit.  

The ministry says state governments have reported having set up vigilance and monitoring committees at the state as well as district levels with local MPs as members at the district level.  Village level committees have been set up for local monitoring, while members of the central employment guarantee council also undertake field visits to various districts. 

National level monitors (NLMs) and area officers also visit various districts to oversee the progress of the act. The ministry of rural development has mandated states to conduct social audit of every NREGA project within three months. A citizen information board has also been introduced for display at all prominent public places to enable the local community stay informed of the works being undertaken under and would also facilitate the process of spreading awareness about the programme.

The rural development ministry has also implemented a web-based MIS to maintain in the public domain relevant data like workers' entitlements like registration, job cards, muster rolls, employment demanded and provided; work data like sanctioned shelf of works, work estimates, work in progress, measurement; financial indicators like funds available / spent, amount paid as wages, materials and administrative expenses. 

Data software has been engineered for cross-verification of records and for report generation.

In June 2006 the implementation of the NREGA was reviewed at the prime minister's review meeting on 20 June 2007 in addition to performance review committee meetings conducted by the minister of rural development.