Abstract

This research paper bears the title, The Roles of Lokpal in Fighting Corruption and Administrative Accountability in India. This paper, in detail, systematically looks at the potential of the Lokpal institution in the framework of achieving the objectives of curbing corruption and the enhancement of accountability in the Indian administration. Using descriptive as well as comparative analysis, the paper assesses how effective the Lokpal has been in strengthening accountability in administration coupled with the main challenges the Lokpal has encountered in its implementation. Inter alia, the paper compares the Lokpal with the systems of ombudsmen in the developed countries referring to the best practices that might help to make the desired changes to the Indian approach to fighting corruption. This paper, therefore, aligns the objective of this paper of empowering Lokpal with the principles of good governance and the need to fashion out a principles-based solution that will not only address the establishment of Lokpal but also the underlying reasons for corruption. Lastly, it recommends a multi-pronged approach, where the efficiency of accountability mechanisms, is accompanied by attempts at institution-building that would make the civil service more open and responsible.

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