Question

The first country to introduce the institution of Ombudsman (Lokpal) was
1. Sweden
2. Norway
3. Finland
4. Switzerland

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Sweden

The correct answer is Sweden.

• The first country to introduce the institution of Ombudsman (Lokpal) was Sweden.

• An Ombudsman is to be appointed and removed by the Legislature.
• The demand for creating Ombudsmanin India was initially put forward by K. M. Munshi in 1960.
• Santhanam Committee is the committee that recommended the establishment of an Ombudsman like an institution in India in 1964.
• Lokpal is an anti-corruption authority constituted at the center.
• It is modelled on the Ombudsman system in Scandinavian countries.
• The word Lokpal was coined by L.M. Singvi in 1963.
• The concept of Lokpal was suggested by Ashoke Kumar Sen in 1960.
• The Lokpal bill was first introduced in the Lok Sabha by Shanti Bhooshan in 1968.
• Lokpal consists of 9 members including Chairperson. Of these 50% of members are from Judicial background.

• The current Chairperson of Lokpal - Pinaki Chandra Ghose.
• Lokpal bill assented by Pranab Mukherjee.
• Lokpal bill came into force - 16 January 2014.
• The person who struggled for a Lokpal - Anna Hazare.