RBI revises Hindi nomenclature of Integrated Ombudsman Scheme to avoid Lokpal confusion

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised the Hindi nomenclature of its 'Reserve Bank-Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2021', following inputs from the Lokpal of India, an official release said on Monday.

The scheme, previously referred to in Hindi as 'रिज़र्वबैंक-एकीकृत लोकपाल योजना, 2021' (Reserve Bank - Ekikrit Ombudsman Yojana, 2021), will now be known as 'रिज़र्वबैंक-एकीकृत ओम्बड्समैन योजना, 2021' (Reserve Bank-Integrated Ombudsman Yojana, 2021).

The change was made in line with the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, which designates 'Lokpal' exclusively for the anti-corruption body established under the Act, the release stated.

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, enacted by Parliament, provides for the establishment of the Lokpal at the central level and Lokayuktas at the state level to inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries. Since the Act came into force, the term 'Lokpal' has been exclusively reserved for such bodies.

As the Hindi translation of the RBI scheme contained the term 'Lokpal', which conflicts with its statutory definition, the matter was taken up with the central bank for correction. Accordingly, the RBI has now replaced 'Lokpal' with 'Ombudsman' in all official documents related to the scheme, the release added.

The RBI had introduced the Integrated Ombudsman Scheme in 2021 to provide cost-free redressal of customer complaints regarding deficiencies in services provided by entities regulated by the central bank.