- I Paid A Bribe
- 12 years ago
- 2243 views
PAYING BRIBE FOR EVEN A NORMAL REGISTRATION !!
- Commercial Tax, Sales Tax, VAT
- VAT Registration
- Paid INR 4,000
Sir(s),
I am a student of CA final student. I've been doing my articleship for 6 months now. And this is just one of the incidents I happened to face.
We had a client of ours who is a civil contractor, that person(whose name i shall not disclose as a matter of professional ethics) is a legitimate business man who pays the taxes and gives high priority to compliance procedure given by the law.
My Principal assigned me to help him get registered for TN-VAT, and I had a good exposure in the process too. I thought that that is what was all about the registration process, but then, I was given further lead in the same assignment to submit the same with the ACTO Chengalpattu (one of Chennai's suburban region ).
I had all the forms duly filled, photos, authorization letters to empower me act on their behalf with respect to VAT laws. And it was a shock when my principal handed over me Rs.4,000/-. I asked him why was that for, and he said, "Yes, you worked for almost 3 hours over the form, but those people there wont give the number unless you pay them this".
I then started off to Chengalpattu by a local bus, wondering about the same thing. Why should I have to pay Rs.4,000/- for a getting a registration while my Boss(a CA) himself charges Rs.2,500/- for assisting a person obtaining a PAN, Document the necessary details, draft a partnership deed get it registered and then to obtain a VAT!!??
And after some weary travel i reached the office of the ACTO. The building had more than a floor, and the office was on the first floor, and below was some kind of a college or tution centre.
I went inside holding the forms in a neatly kept folder, and introduced myself at the reception-like place.
I was then taken inside by some one from another desk nearby(a mid-aged man with a deformed hand). It was a lady officer there (I don't know her name, but can definitely spot her!!) she was the ACTO I beleive(for she went through the form).
I thought things are smooth, as I had all the papers she can ask for, including the originals. And after seeing them I asked for her initial on an acknowledgement sheet I carried along which she refused to, stating that it is not their 'usual practice'. I asked if things are okay and she said yes, and for my question on date I can obtain the number, she said "next week" and turned back to her desk harshly.
I said a "thank you" note to her (as a matter of courtesy).
And felt good that I didn't have to bribe someone. But outside was that man, whose hands were deformed for a purpose maybe, "madam patheengala"(Did you see madam!?) - It was him who showed me the way and stood right next to the door!!
I said "Haan paathaen.." (yes I did) "appuram eppo sir TIN kedaikkum" (When can I get my TIN Sir) - 'Sir' ?? Yuck
No respect for such a low creature.
He asked me "Öffice la evvalvu koduthuvittanga?" (how much did they give you in your Office?)
I replied that I get Two thousands as stipend and they pay me for conveyance.(knowing what he is after!! :P ).
"Enna thambi?? vaa madam kitta paesiko.. avangala eppadi samalikkuranu papoam!" (What man? come speak to madam, I'll see how you dodge her!)
He went inside the room and spoke to her while I called my boss and told about this, I was put down when my boss said it, "Aravindh, don't do things like that, these people won't change, your are just complicating things for our client".
The lady who seemed like a person of high values at face turned worse than a rickshaw puller (I shall not defame the rickshaw pullers as they hold some value unlike that swine - who slammed at me). We 'charge' Rs.5,000/- usually(the hell, she called that a fee!! swine! even a pr**ti**te wont say that) and you give only 3,000/-.
I said all I was given was Rs.3,000/- and I have only another 300 bucks left, which was from my purse.
And you know what she did!??
She got the money and just starred, and asked my principal's card. I did give it to her.
I informed my boss about the same and he just said "young blood, okay return safe, we'll see to it".
I was happy at-least,
I retuned back office.
One week passed and I called their office(Chengalpattu), and the receptionist said that the case had to be verified by their field 'Inspector'.
I all but felt was sorry, trying to save a thousand bucks, I made the poor client pay Rs.5,000/- (extra) to that useless, corrupt to the core - Inspector who VISITED THE CLIENT'S HOME INSTEAD OF THEIR OFFICE, AND THAT TOO ON SUNDAY!!
The guilt still cracks me. I would like to complain, but somebody else than me should not be affected because of it. If that is not possible, let me be one among the crowd, cheering for ''Aam Admi Party'' and complaining about corrupt systems in recess hours, staying as a typical Indian.