The recent decision of the government of India to impose a moratorium on the release of Bt-Brinjal has been hailed by civil society and scientists alike as a victory for transparency and has demonstrated that the government is responsive to societal demands.

While natural resources are spatially located, their development is of a wider national interest. Gains from their development accrue to a large common market though the process affects local lives and environments. The distribution of powers and functions across levels of government and the way they play out determine the effectiveness with which various policy goals are met.