- I Paid A Bribe
- 14 years ago
- 2944 views
Bribe for renewal/transfer of beer license
- Customs, Excise and Service Tax
- License Renewal
- Paid INR 85,000
We operate restaurants in Bangalore and every June is the time for renewal of liquor licenses. As a 'norm' the excise department insists on a bribe to be paid at the time of renewal of licenses (in our case, beer and wine) over and above the monthly bribe we pay them while using the licenses in our restaurants. The bribe demanded can be between Rs 20000 to Rs 60000 for such licenses.
This year, due to a technical problem, we had to first transfer a beer license to our premises and also renew it.
As a result we had to pay Rs. 60000 which is the 'minimum' bribe to be paid to the DC of Excise as a transfer fee and additionally Rs. 25000 as the renewal bribe amount!
I've stated the above with very little emotion but the mental & financial stress & torture that we had to go through is undescribable. As partners in the business, we were pushed to a point where the restaurant business no longer seemed exciting to us.
Unfortunately the worst isn't yet over for us, as the department has insisted that we pay them another Rs 50000! This in total would amount to Rs. 135000 which they insist is a discounted amount given our circumstances!
The sad truth is that we will eventually have to pay the additional amount. We can't afford to refuse paying as it would result in the department making it impossible for us to do business.