Question

Find out information on Ombudsman.

Answer 1

An Ombudsman is an independent authority that investigates complaints made by citizens against public authorities or organisations. Its purpose is to promote accountability, fairness and transparency and to provide a means of grievance redressal.

In India, the institution of Lokpal at the Union level and Lokayukta at the State level performs an ombudsman-type role in dealing with allegations of corruption against specified public functionaries. The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 provides the legal framework for these institutions.

Maharashtra has had a Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayukta under the Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act, 1971.