It is well known that government schemes and programmes meant for the poor fail due to corruption. As aspirations rise, the challenge before politicians is to deliver development. It is people as the beneficiaries of government schemes and programmes who can say where the system is working and where it is not. The social audit makes this possible. When the MKSS first did a social audit, it was dismissed as a kangaroo court. From then till today, much has happened and the social audit is being seen as a tool for good governance. Its political benefits are also being understood. State governments in Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan are leading the way in using the social audit to bring transparency and accountability into government delivery systems.