Public consultation is meant to ensure that people affected by large projects have a meaningful voice in decision-making. In India, consultation processes are mandatory for environmental clearances, land acquisition, and infrastructure approvals, and official records routinely indicate that they are completed and compliant. Yet multiple studies and audit findings indicate a persistent gap between recorded and experienced consultations. Objections are often summarised, diluted, or excluded altogether, while final reports note "no major concerns," and projects move swiftly to clearance. This episode reflects how consultation can function as a checkbox rather than a conversation — where participation is documented, dissent is filtered, and consent is assumed.
Sources
Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)
Reports highlighting procedural lapses and weak public consultation processes in project approvals.
Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)
Documents systemic issues in public hearings, including poor disclosure, limited participation, and exclusion of objections.
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science, Technology, Environment and Forests
Reviews on environmental governance note the dilution of consultation requirements and inadequate consideration of public input.
Land Conflict Watch
The dataset and reports on infrastructure and industrial projects indicate frequent conflicts despite recorded consultations.
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