Ombudsman for Local Governments
Ombudsman is an authority constituted for Local Self Government Institutions at the State level for conducting investigations and enquiries in respect of any action involving corruption or maladministration or irregularities in the discharge of administrative functions by Local Self Government Institutions.
Government of Kerala had originally constituted a seven member Ombudsman with effect from 29-5-2000. The Chairman was a person who was holding the post of a High Court Judge and the other six members were drawn from the Judicial, Administrative services as well as from eminent social activists. Later the single Ombudsman system came into existence as per notification S.R.O. No.1105/2001 dated 11-12-2001 by appointing a person who has held the post of a Judge of the High Court. The term of the Ombudsman is for three years from the date on which he enters upon his office.
The details of the various Ombudsmen for LSG in Kerala are
Tenure | Name of Ombudsman |
2000 – 2001 | Justice P.A. Muhammed (Chairman) Sri. M.A. Nisar Sri. P.S. Divakaran Dr. D. Babu Paul, IAS Sri. K. Mohanchandran, IAS Prof. T.V. Balan Prof. R. Balakrishnan Nair |
2001 – 2004 | Justice K.P. Radhakrishna Menon |
2005 – 2008 | Justice T.K. Chandrasekhara Das |
2008 – 2011 | Justice M.R. Hariharan Nair |
2011 – 2014 | Justice M.N. Krishnan |
2014 – 2017 | Justice M.L. Joseph Francis |
2017 – 2020 | Justice Shri.K.K. Denesan |
2021 – till date | Justice P. S. Gopinathan |
Functions of an Ombudsman
- Investigate into any allegation contained in a complaint or on a reference from Government, or that has come to the notice of the Ombudsman;
- Enquire into any complaint in which corruption or maladministration of a public servant or a Local Self Government Institution is alleged and passed an order on the allegation in the following manner,
- Where the irregularity involves a criminal offence committed by a public servant, the matter shall be referred to the appropriate authority for investigation.
- Where the irregularity causes loss or inconvenience to a citizen, direct the Local Self Government Institution to give him compensation and to reimburse the loss from the person responsible for the irregularity;
- Where the irregularity involves loss or waste or misuse of the fund of the Local Self Government Institution, realize such loss from those who are responsible for such irregularity
- Where the irregularity is due to omission or inaction cause to supply the omission and to rectify the mistake.
- Ombudsman may pass interim order restraining the Local Self Government Institution from doing anything detrimental to the interest of the complainant if it is satisfied that much loss or injury will be caused to the complainant due to the alleged act.
- The Ombudsman may by order, impose penalty in addition to compensation if it is of opinion that the irregularity involves corrupt practice for personal gain.
Address
Ombudsman For LSGI Kerala Saphalyam Complex,
4th Floor Trida Building, University P.O.
Thiruvananthapuram – 695034
Phone: 0471 2333542
Email: ombudsmanlsgi@gmail.com
