Kerala Ombudsman

The Ombudsman is a mechanism for filing complaints against public representatives and officials for corruption, nepotism, misappropriation of funds, or dereliction of duty. The Ombudsman is a quasi-judicial body with powers. Under the current provisions, only a retired High Court judge can be appointed as the Ombudsman. People can directly approach the Ombudsman with a complaint. If a complaint is received, he has the power to summon anyone and conduct an investigation and recommend action. The Ombudsman was started to hear and resolve customer complaints in the banking sector. Delay in providing services, denying someone the right to receive services, and making services generous are considered corruption in modern society. People can file complaints with the Ombudsman against such corruption.

Types of Ombudsman in Kerala 

■ Kerala Ombudsman for Local Self Government Institutions

Its headquarters is Trivandrum. Ombudsman was setup only for Local Self Government Institutions started functioning in the year 2000. This is a high powered quasi judicial body functioning at the state level. Ombudsman carry out investigations and look into the cases of mal administration, corruption, discrimination, partiality, dishonesty, unnecessary action, forced action, misuse of position against local governments in the state or the subsidiaries functioning under them. Initially, there was a 7-member Ombudsman. This became the condition for the appointment of a single-member Ombudsman through an amendment to the law. A former High Court Judge is appointed as the Ombudsman by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. The term of the Ombudsman is three years. The first Ombudsman is Justice P.A. Mohamed.

■ Kerala Ombudsman for Co-operatives

■ Kerala State Electricity Ombudsman

It is an appellate authority. Its mission is resolving the problems and grievances of electricity related service of consumers.

■ Banking Ombudsman

A mechanism set up by the Reserve Bank of India to address complaints regarding banking services. It came into effect in 2006. It covers scheduled commercial banks, regional rural banks, scheduled primary cooperative banks, etc. The Reserve Bank has appointed fifteen ombudsmen in state capitals. Complaints can be filed in person, online or by e-mail. The form for this is available on the Reserve Bank of India website. The complaint should be filed with the ombudsman under whose jurisdiction the bank is the subject of the complaint. Complaints regarding credit cards and other services that fall under the centralized system should be filed with the ombudsman whose jurisdiction covers the area where the customer's billing address is located. No fee is charged. Complaints in the areas of Kerala, Lakshadweep and Puducherry should be filed with the Banking Ombudsman based in Thiruvananthapuram.

PSC Questions

1. Ombudsman for Local Government Institutions in Kerala was established - 2000

2. When the Ombudsman was established in Kerala, the members were - 7 (including the Chairman)

3. Year the Panchayat Raj Act was amended to make it a single-member Ombudsman in Kerala - 2001

4. Headquarters of the Kerala Ombudsman - Thiruvananthapuram

5. Mechanism for hearing and resolving customer complaints in the banking sector - Banking Ombudsman

6. The mechanism set up by the Reserve Bank of India to redress complaints regarding the services of banks in India - Banking Ombudsman

7. The year in which the Banking Ombudsman was established - 1995

8. The Banking Ombudsman was established in 1995 under which law - Banking Regulation Act, 1949

9. The year in which the Banking Ombudsman came into existence in India - 2006

10. The Banking Ombudsman is currently functioning under which scheme in India - Banking Ombudsman Scheme 2006