“धरà¥à¤®à¤‚-संकट”: Should I pay the bribe? A real-life ethical dilemma
Last week, a long-time reader of the blog (and someone who I know; lets just call him HV) sent me an email asking for advice on how to deal with a “धरà¥à¤®à¤‚ -संकट “. His was a real-life ethical dilemma..something I suspect millions of Indians face everyday. He wrote (emphasis added):
I’m in a dharma-sankat! I just moved to India and am very concerned about an ethical dilemma I’m facing almost every week.
How do you manage the problem of bribes one has to pay to the government employees for almost every task? I recently had to register my vehicle with RTO and the officer wouldn’t pass the papers forward without charging a “commission” of Rs. 200. While he didn’t ask for the bribe directly, it’s known that Rs. 200 is the market price for registration. I was told by the agent that if I don’t pay Rs. 200, I would be forced to travel long distances multiple times. That’s exactly what I did. The officer was also very rude to me.
I talked about this to my friends and family and they are discouraging me from adopting such honest behaviour in India. They said that if I must settle in India, I will have to learn to pay bribes, else nothing would get accomplished. While this is obvious, how does one get around it? How do you get around it?
If you are uncomfortable answering this via email, I’d be willing to talk on phone…Please guide me as to the right step!  Thanks,
As I wrote above, this kind of a situation is common-place in India. Unless you are one of the not-so-aam-aadmi, I can bet you have faced something similar before. I have been luckier than most, having spent almost all my working life in India as a civil servant & a “Class-I Gazetted Officer” to boot (that too during a time when such things did matter!). Â After I resigned from the IFS and started my new career in London, I was apprehensive of facing such a situation during my frequent travels to India but I have been “lucky” so far.
However I do know of numerous such instances, including experiences of close friends, relatives and colleagues. The first point I would like to make here is in the situation faced by HV, he is not really a “criminal” (although he most certainly would be, in the eyes of the law) but a “victim” – a “victim” of complex regulations, opacity, lack of accountability and complete absence of service-norms and expectations. He is a victim because he is “forced” to be dishonest, since all “reasonable” attempts at seeking the service that he is paying for – and therefore entitled to – have been made and exhausted.
Note although that this is not your basic, in-your-face demand for money (which is actually easier to complain about and “deal” with) but a sly request, made indirectly, often via third-parties and in very vague terms. This kind of “service charge” is harder to fight with – since it is rarely clear who exactly is asking for the money, and how much.
Coming back to our dilemma , the choice that HV now has is to either pay the Rs 200/- that has been indirectly “demanded” or to forget about getting his registration papers any time soon – possibly for a long time to come. Depending on his personal situation, the second option may or may not be realistic. If it is not realistic – and if he has made several sincere attempts at getting his work done (which I have no doubt, he has), he should – with a clear conscience – pay the “facilitation” money, Â “service charge ” or whatever else it is called – in the full awareness that he is being forced to act in this manner. He should then consider the following:
1] Make a record of what happened post it on ipaidabribe.com
2] Share his experience with friends, colleagues and others and find out if anyone had a different experience (perhaps there is a sincere, honest officer somewhere in the RTO office?)
3] File an RTI to seek information on how many applications for registration of vehicles are made every month/year and thus get an idea of the scale of this “enterprise”
4] If possible (and this is a big if), seek the help of the “agent” to nail the corrupt official. This is far easier said than done – and assumes (crucially) that the agent is not himself involved in the racket.
I am curious to hear from others..What advice would you give to HV?
P.S. I must end on a positive and upbeat note. Last week in New Delhi, my father-in-law was stopped by the traffic police as his car windows had a film that is now not allowed. The cop was direct, to the point and extraordinarily courteous. We paid the Rs 100/- fine, got a receipt and were on our way after a gentle reminder to take the film off – all of this in less than 10mins! Â Therefore, have faith. Change will come. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!
For a deeper understanding of how to deal with such a “system”, read Politics and Corruption: Here’s how to fix the “system”
Dear Shantanu,
Thanks a ton for this. I’m glad you analyzed this issue in detail and, although being an ex-IFS, know well the problems faced by common men.
Please note that I did NOT pay the bribe in this situation, although I do fear how I’ll be able to manage such cases in future. Things simply don’t get done without paying bribes. The cost (both mental, physical, and financial) incurred by not paying bribes is significantly more than paying them and getting things done quickly.
Anyway, I shall try taking steps you mentioned. Hopefully, I’ll be able to manage things ethically.
Thanks again and Jai Bharat!
I read in a news that some one made a DD of Rs.500 in the name of the office and delivered it.
This is really a Dharma Sankat. I have heard similar cases from friends too. In case of traffic police, when we pay fine, they have some disappointment seeing us honest.
Here’s what I advised Harsh in this case. All this is very hard but if we don’t fight the system it will destroy us.
http://sabhlokcity.com/2012/08/what-should-you-do-when-you-are-asked-for-a-bribe/
@HV: Not at all. You don’t have to thank me..
Very pleased to read that you did manage to get the work done in this instance without paying anything..if only all of us could be a bit persistent..but understand your concern re. time/costs..It is not easy to follow this course always..
@Arun: Neat idea!
Mohini: So true..but lets start small and build along the little successes..
@Sanjeev: Thanks/ will have a look
i worked as chief executive of a small french comp in India. I was to get a new passport book issued. My staff tried all types of influence so that i could jump the queue for submission, and if someone could accompany me, as being senior means having flunkies around. But they could not manage this. All have to queue up (unless of course u r from teh foreign service), but the Ast passport officer was courteous and helpful. The passport was accepted after spot document checking. The police enquiry came on time. My office was of the view, if we dont pay some token amount to the police, they will screw up teh enquiry. But teh cop just refused to take any bribe. The enquiry was sent on time, and the passport was delivered via EMS post on time.
Probity is coming in petty offices. Corruption is rampant in the high offices though. The passport service has got particularly streamlined.
The problem is us as well, as we always want to jump the queue. We dont want to read instructions. Then we want to get our dox accepted even if they are defficient.
we are not aware of our rights. we dont demand our due. government is mai baap. This is the colonial legacy difficult to kill
My sincere request to Finance Minister, Governor, RBI Cheif to remove our Mahatma Gandhi’s image from all kinds of denomination of INR notes.
Every event from the following list wherein a common person comes face to face with officials of systems – railway ticket, license, birth, death, property transaction, government job, police case – brings forth this Dharma Sankat.
There is a way to address this issue – manufacture some dummy insignificant issues and confront the corrupt officials. Assume that a person does not need a driving license, for example. He should apply for one and insist on probity at every step. With time on his side and no particular need to get the license, he can easily strike a blow.
I had tried and filed a few railway complaints based on this idea. They covered pantry food, station announcements, and other similar topics. It does move the system. Believe me, it does.
When you are hard pressed for time, you have little chance of winning any battle against corruption. When you have time on your side and you are not in any particular need of the facility you are seeking/applying for, you stand the best chance of making an impression on the system.
Think about it. Act on your conclusion. If thousands decide to do that, corruption at small level will decline for sure.
While on this topic, I would like to mention that I have also noticed some blatantly extortionist practices in the private sector of late. It seems some banks and some Telecom companies are extorting money by using strong arm tactics. They will keep charging for undelivered services, never produce a paper to let you know what the charges are about, never close your account whatever you may try and do, and never tell you how to bring the event to completion, and keep you charging as long as they can…. (Some of those living in UK must have had a similar experience with Setanta, a sports broadcast company that had the rights to IPL matches in its first year).
Good record keeping and good time keeping will definitely reduce corruption.
I have faced similar situations a dozen times. And every time, after joining anna movement, i was committed not to bribe at any cost.
One such incident of few months ago:
I was driving on the wrong side of the road. Traffic cop stopped me and told that i was on the wrong side. I accepted the mistake and asked how much fine should i pay.
Cop, “Do you want to pay the penalty here or in the office?”
” Of course here.”
“Ok, pay then”
” How much?”
“You are wise. Think and give.(soch samajhkar de do)”
“I don’t know how much to give. You must tell me.”
“OK,give Rs 100″
I paid and and waited for 50 seconds and asked,”Receipt please”
“If you want receipt, you will have to pay Rs 250”
“Then why did you ask for Rs 100?”
Silence…I repeated,” Then why did you ask for Rs 100?”
“If you want to pay Rs 250, its your wish” said the cop and handed over me the 100 rupee note.
“That means this 100 rupee was the bribe.”
“No. Do whatever you want to do. And get away from here”
I went to a nearby stationary shop, bought a marker pen and drawing sheet. Wrote in the sheet
“Mr Badri Prasad Dubey(Batch No 55) asked for Rs 100 bribe from me.”
With the sheet in my hand, I stood in the square where the cop was performing his DUTY. Looking at this he ran towards me. I was running ahead shouting him corrupt, corrupt, he following me. Everyone was looking at the scene. After running few meters, he gave up and eloped. His colleague was laughing like anything. I remained there for some minutes. Since the cops absence was demotivating me. I asked the other cop tostarted for my destination.
After few days, both of them saw me again. Mr Dubey felt sorry and promised that he would not ask bribe again.
My friend in Raipur(CG),taking inspiration from this incident,tried almost the same thing successfully to get through his property papers.
@Prakash: I 100% agree with you. Determination and honesty gives you godly confidence. Good record keeping and good time keeping will definitely reduce corruption.
I have two experiences one at Delhi Air port and one in Dombivali
Delhi Air Port.
I need wheel chair for long distance walk due to stroke. The employee who wheeled me out side, I gave him Rs. 100/-. He refused to take it and said that Sir I am an employee please do not give money to any one. We encourage people that way for asking Bribe. ( First person of class five employee saying me that, I was spellbound by his words I do not know to believe it or Rs.100/- was less for his services, I do not know it even today. )
In Dombivali ( Suburb of Mumbai)
I was going in Taxi out of Mumbai and a team of 12-15 Police officials were stopping the car at the site by looking at the Driver and we were stopped. I did not know WHY?
The Driver went to the Police and asked Why was he stopped and I was told that he was stopped because he was not wearing the “Seat Belt”. It is fare and in the interest of the Driver and the passengers. I asked him what should we do? In the mean time the Police stopped about six vehicle and a plain clothed person was going to the Driver and and talking him out by accepting Rs50/- as bribe and letting them go. I went to the Officer who was standing there and asked him how much is the fine for this he replied Rs 100/- I went to get money from the car my driver said sir give me I will pay only Rs 50/-and we can get away. I refused and asked the ACP ( who stopped us) here is the Fine can I have the receipt? While he was writing the receipt rest all the cars who were stopped left the place. Then I asked him Why did you allow rest of the cars go Scott free. He said they had correct paper work I said to ACP How did you know that our paper work was not in order? I know you said to other Drivers that they were not wearing Seat Belt in front of me Don’t lie to me and I had very hot exchange of words than all the 12-15 officer surrounded me and the whole market people were watching my argument with Police official. An Elderly gentleman saw me getting angrier and came to me and virtually pushed me to my car. Such situations scene at the spot makes other realize what kind of behavior was of the Police. They know it is corruption. We may not succeed but at least making a scene out of the situation can arise the awareness of corruption. BUT if you live there in India Officials may target you in future.
Dr. Ambekar.
Dear Shantanu
I live in Chandigarh. Thanks to the ever vigilant citizens, activists and press, such incidents are a story of the past. From my personal experience, I can vouch for the fact that if your papers are in order, there are no hassles in getting license, RC or birth/death certificates. I guess its about time the system gets replicated in other parts of the country.
Great post Shantanu! The anecdote about Delhi traffic police is very heartening. Long ago in Bangalore, I was stopped at a traffic light for jumping the red signal (I honestly thought the light was still orange when I crossed the line). Another motorist was also stopped and I saw that he gave them Rs. 100 and went his way. I didn’t bribe the policeman that day even though I had had Rs. 90 in my pocket. He took my license and I went to traffic court a week later to pay a fine and get it back.
First of all, I too am of the opinion that change will come! Very well articulated. Also, it was wonderful discussing an ‘Indian Identity’ with you at NLSIU, Bangalore. Looking forward to another talk!
Former President Dr.Abdul Kalam when visted a school a girl says “Poverty and Ignorance are two which blocks India from development”. But people knowingly pay bribe to all Government staffs and private to get their work done.This can be done only by the people without using the service or quit or complaint to higher officials or vigilance and corruption department or media in hidden. Whole India is polluted due to Bribe and Corruption and we dont know how India develops in 2020. This generation can avoid getting bribe from people due to economic situation in India all are getting corrupted automatically without any force sometimes.
Story time:
A young woman with an urgent appointment arrived at a Suburban Rail ticket counter in Mumbai. She had no change and could not get any. The ticket counter refused to give her a ticket.Finally, she offered to give the large denomination note and said she did not want any change back , because she had an urgent appointment. Her request was denied.
Not having any recourse, she wrote a complaint letter to the railways with the date, time, location, name of the ticket vendor etc. The railway to cognizance of her complaint, because the concerned ticket vendor was up for promotion. The vendor began to threaten the woman, to no avail. He then begged and pleaded with her to retract her letter of complaint, again to no avail.Finally he showed up with his wife at the complainant’s house and literally fell at her feet. She was still unmoved.
The complainant’s husband prevailed upon her to change her mind.
Moral: Do what you want to do, but be willing to face the consequences.
I was not issued a Driving license in Pune for 40 days TILL I WROTE A COMPLAINT WITH THE FULL DETAILS. I got the license within ONE DAY thereafter.I refused to pay the bribe.
If you don’t want to do it: fine, pay the bribe and THEN SEND A COMPLETE WRITTEN COMPLAINT. Record the conversation on your mobile if required.