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This is a high powered quasi judicial body functioning at the State level with its Head Quarters in the State Capital. Possibly no other State in India has such an institution to oversee the functioning of Local Self Government Institutions.
Under the present law only a former judge of a High Court can be appointed as Ombudsman. He can conduct investigations and enquiries into instances of mal administration, corruption, favouritism, nepotism, lack of integrity, excessive action, inaction, abuse of position, etc. on the part of officials and elected representatives of all Local Bodies (Corporations, Municipalities, and Panchayaths of all three levels). He can even register cases suo moto if instances of the above kind come to his notice. His sittings can be anywhere in the State and at his discretion. He is not fully bound by the rigid provisions of the Indian Evidence Act and the Procedure Codes. Advocates can appear in the cases before the Ombudsman only if specifically permitted to do so for stated reasons. These provisions make the functioning of the Institution very flexible and enables conduct of cases fast and inexpensive. At present sittings of Ombudsman are held at Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, and Kozhikode. Occasionally sittings are also held at other places like Kannoor, Palakkad, etc. also.
The Institution started functioning in the year 2000 as a 7 member body with a Retd. Judge of the High Court as its Chairman. The successor government changed the constitution and made it a single member body through an amendment of the Panchayath Raj Act in the year 2001.
With effect from 17-3-2008 the office of Ombudsman is held by Mr. Justice M.R. Hariharan Nair, a former Judge of the High Court of Kerala. His appointment is for a term of 3 years which ends on 16-3-2011.
During the preceding 3 years the office was held by Mr. Justice T.K. Chandrasekhar Das and before that by Mr. Justice K.P. Radhakrishna Menon. The Chairman of the 7 member body which was functional in the year 2000 was Mr. Justice P.A. Mohamed. All of them have rendered exemplary service to the institution.
That the Court Fee necessary for filing a complaint is only Rs.10/- and that services of Advocate is unnecessary for conducting the case make this institution unique, inexpensive and fast functioning.
Complaints to the Ombudsman are to be addressed to the Secretary. They are to be prepared in ordinary paper and accompanied by Form A duly filled up and with stamps worth Rs.10 affixed therein. Form A can be obtained from any office of the Local Bodies. Complaints, prepared as above and accompanied by as many copies as there are respondents in the case, can be presented in person to the Secretary, or sent to him in the address:
“Office of the Ombudsman for LSGI, Bartons Bill Bungalow, Kunnukuzhi, Vanchiyoor P.O; Thiruvananthapuram – 695037”. Telephones: 0471-2300541, 2300542, and 2300543. Fax. 0471-2300542.
E mail:- ombudsmanlsgi@gmail.com
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