Subject: Indian Polity

India's journey in tackling corruption through institutional mechanisms like the Lokpal reflects both ambitious aspirations and practical limitations. The statement that a national anti-corruption ombudsman alone cannot address public immorality presents a complex reality that needs careful examination.

Limitations of Lokpal in Addressing Public Immorality

• Structural Constraints: The institution faces operational challenges with only 2,426 complaints received and 2,350 disposed of as of January 2025, indicating limited reach and effectiveness.

• Implementation Gaps: Despite its strong mandate, the Lokpal has investigated only 24 cases in five years with prosecution sanction in merely six cases, showing institutional inefficacy.

• Procedural Delays: The parliamentary report of April 2023 highlighting 68% complaints being disposed without action demonstrates systemic bottlenecks.

Broader Issues Beyond Lokpal's Purview

• Systemic Corruption: India's declining position in the Corruption Perception Index (96th rank in 2024) indicates deeper institutional challenges.

• Cultural and Social Factors: Public immorality stems from societal values, behavioral patterns, and ethical degradation that legal institutions alone cannot address.

• Political Will: The presence of 118 pending corruption cases awaiting prosecution sanction (2023) reflects the need for political commitment beyond institutional mechanisms.

Required Multi-dimensional Approach

• Preventive Measures: Implementation of e-governance initiatives like Digital India and Direct Benefit Transfer to minimize human interface in public services.

• Educational Reforms: Integration of ethics and moral education in curriculum through initiatives like Value Education Programs.

• Institutional Strengthening: Empowering complementary institutions like Central Vigilance Commission, CAG, and Central Bureau of Investigation.

• Civil Society Engagement: Promoting active citizenship through Right to Information Act and social audit mechanisms.

The battle against public immorality requires a holistic approach combining institutional mechanisms, social reforms, and ethical leadership. While the Lokpal serves as a crucial oversight body, transformative change demands synergy between legal frameworks, societal values, and citizen participation, as demonstrated by successful models like Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption.