Costly Lokpal: Rs 37.82 lakh per complaint over three years

India’s apex anti-corruption body, the Lokpal, cost a staggering Rs 37.82 lakh to the state exchequer on an average to hear a single complaint over the past three years, according to a Right to Information (RTI) response.

- NEERAJ MOHAN

The RTI, filed by Punjab-based social activist Kamal Anand, reveals that from August 2021 to July 2024, the Lokpal received 739 complaints while incurring a total expenditure of Rs 279.52 crore. This translates to an annual average spending of Rs 93.17 crore by the Lokpal.

The RTI response, provided by Rahul Kumar, Under Secretary and Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) at the Lokpal of India, offers a deep dive into the operations and financials of the anti-corruption body. Despite the significant expenditure, the number of complaints, particularly against high-profile officials, remains notably low.