Experience of a few countries demonstrates that a series of well publicized open public hearings is a particularly effective means to spread information and to obtain the stakeholders’ commitment, contributions and support for a large investment project, and to avoid misguided decisions possibly reflecting manipulative influence of corrupt politicians, consultants, suppliers or contractors.

Public Hearings organised by Parivartan a Delhi based NGO, in August 2002.  It obtained copies of all the civil works done by Municipal Corporation of Delhi in Sundernagari and New Seemapuri localities and assessed the procurement procedures including the quality of materials procured. The public hearings had tremendous impact on the psyche and morale of the people and they were able to hold Government accountable in such a transparent manner in full public gaze.