Which among the following Committees had recommended the setting up of two special authorities designated as Lokpal and Lokayuktas?

The correct answer is First Administrative Reforms Commission.

Key Points

• The First Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC), established in 1966, was tasked with recommending reforms to improve public administration in India.
• The First ARC recommended the establishment of Lokpal at the central level and Lokayuktas at the state level to address issues of corruption and maladministration.
• The recommendation aimed to create independent authorities to investigate complaints against public officials, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• The concept of Lokpal and Lokayuktas was inspired by the Ombudsman system in Scandinavian countries, which serves as a mechanism for addressing public grievances.
• The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, was eventually enacted to institutionalize these bodies, though the idea originated from the First ARC's recommendations.

Additional Information

• Lokpal:
  • The Lokpal is an anti-corruption authority at the central level, designed to investigate complaints against public servants, including the Prime Minister, ministers, and Members of Parliament.
  • It is a statutory body established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, and is headed by a Chairperson supported by members.
  • The Lokpal has the authority to conduct inquiries, investigations, and prosecutions in cases of corruption.
• Lokayuktas:
  • Lokayuktas are state-level anti-corruption ombudsmen, modeled on the Lokpal, to address complaints against state government officials and ministers.
  • Their structure and functioning vary across states, as state governments are responsible for their establishment.
• Ombudsman System:
  • This system originated in Sweden in 1809 and has been adopted by many countries to address public grievances and ensure accountability.
  • The Ombudsman acts as an independent and impartial authority to investigate complaints against public officials and institutions.
• Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC):
  • Set up in 2005, the Second ARC also emphasized the need for strengthening mechanisms like Lokpal and Lokayuktas for better governance.
  • Its reports further built upon the recommendations of the First ARC to improve transparency, accountability, and citizen-centric governance.