The concept of an Ombudsman originated in Sweden in 1809. An Ombudsman is an independent, non-partisan officer of parliament who receives, investigates, and reports on citizen complaints against administrative abuse and corruption.
1. Evolution of the Ombudsman in India
In India, the administrative ombudsman is split into the Lokpal (at the Central level) and the Lokayukta (at the State level).
After decades of public movements, the Parliament passed the landmark Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013.
2. Composition of the Lokpal
The Lokpal consists of a Chairperson (who is or has been a Chief Justice of India, a Supreme Court Judge, or an eminent person) and up to 8 members (50% judicial members, and 50% from SC/ST/OBC/Minorities/Women).
3. Jurisdiction of the Lokpal
The Lokpal holds extremely wide investigative powers, covering:
- The Prime Minister (subject to strict safeguards: an inquiry must be approved by a 2/3rd majority of the full bench of Lokpal, and must be held in camera).
- Union Ministers and Members of Parliament (for acts of corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act).
- All Group A, B, C, and D officers of the Central government.
The Lokpal acts as an administrative supervisor over the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) for cases referred by it.
4. State-level Lokayuktas
The 2013 Act mandates that every State must establish a Lokayukta to investigate corruption and administrative abuse at the state level (such as against Chief Ministers and state civil servants).