The Lokpal: Declining Public Engagement and Questions of Accountability
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Polity and Governance (Statutory Bodies, Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013, Anti-Corruption mechanisms).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (Polity & Governance): "Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies"; "Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability"; "Role of civil services in a democracy".
General Studies Paper 4 (Ethics): "Probity in Governance"; "Accountability and ethical governance."
Key Highlights from the News
The Lokpal (Lokpal), the anti-corruption watchdog, sparked controversy by inviting tenders to purchase seven luxury cars for the Chairperson and members.
There has been a sharp decline in public engagement, indicated by a massive drop in the number of complaints received by the Lokpal, suggesting a reduction in public trust in the institution's functioning.
Against 2,469 complaints received in 2022-23, only 233 complaints were received till September this year.
Out of the 6,955 complaints received by the Lokpal so far, preliminary inquiries were ordered in only 289 cases.
Out of these, prosecution sanctions were granted in only 7 cases.
Activists point out that despite being an institution formed to investigate corruption involving top officials, the Lokpal has not sanctioned prosecution in even one major case so far.
Most complaints are rejected citing technicalities.
The Lokpal has not published its annual report after 2021-22, indicating a lack of transparency.
The Lokpal's prosecution wing was notified only in June 2025, 12 years after the law was passed, which highlights the government's lack of seriousness.
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