The Ombudsman: Lokpal & Lokayukta — KSLU Administrative Law Notes

The Ombudsman: Lokpal & Lokayukta

flowchart TD
    A["OMBUDSMAN in India"]:::root
    A --> B["Origin: First Administrative Reforms<br/>Commission, Interim Report (1966);<br/>terms coined by Dr L.M. Singhvi"]:::leaf
    A --> C["LOKPAL — Centre<br/>Lokpal & Lokayuktas Act, 2013"]:::leaf
    A --> D["LOKAYUKTA — States<br/>(Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984)"]:::leaf
    A --> E["CVC — Central Vigilance Commission<br/>(Santhanam Committee 1964;<br/>statutory after Vineet Narain, 1998)"]:::leaf

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The Ombudsman (originating in Sweden, 1809) is an independent statutory authority that investigates citizens’ complaints of maladministration against the administration. In India the proposal came from the First Administrative Reforms Commission, Interim Report (1966) — the terms “Lokpal” (Centre) and “Lokayukta” (States) were coined by Dr L.M. Singhvi. After decades of failed bills, the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 established the Lokpal at the Centre — a multi-member body (a Chairperson + up to 8 members, half judicial) with jurisdiction over public functionaries including the Prime Minister (with safeguards) — and required States to set up Lokayuktas. The Central Vigilance Commission, recommended by the Santhanam Committee (1964) and given statutory status following Vineet Narain v. Union of India (1998), supervises vigilance and anti-corruption work in central organisations.