Being a non-localite anywhere in India can cost a bomb
By Manisha Yadav
What if you end up in another city and find yourself caught up in a mess? Make sure your pockets are full.
The experience of a non localite in Agara, Bangalore reveals the pathetic attitude of government officials towards people from other states. Our respondent had to pay Rs 500 to the police for no fault due to a complaint filed by his neighbour against him. The offence: Parking of vehicle in front of his house.
When the cops realised he was not a native, they police threatened to file a case against him. He was let off with a warning after he gave them the bribe. Know the details at: http://www.ipaidabribe.com/bribe-central/bribe-being-non-kanadigasomebody-registed-complaint-against-me.
In another incident in Pune, a Marathi couple was stopped by cops since their number plate had a Karnataka registration number. The duo was asked to pay above Rs 7,000 as fine. When a cop cross-checked his licence and realised they belonged to the City, the amount demanded was reduced drastically to Rs 4,000 and then to Rs 2,000.
The husband was also informed that if he did not pay up, he would be taken to jail and the vehicle seized. One of the cops suggested they visit an ATM and withdraw the money if they did not have enough on hand.
Since the respondent had only Rs 350 on person, he launched into negotiations and was let off after paying Rs 300 http://www.ipaidabribe.com/bribe-central/welcome-back-home-dear-son-soil
The fact that local officials ‘stress on the need to adapt local language even by those from other cities turns unwelcomed and frustrating to them. In another case, a respondent from Bangalore ended up paying the BBMP office to get permission to put up his banners across the city that contained social message (turn off the engines at traffic signals and help control air pollution). The banner did not get approval initially only because it was written in Kannada. After three hours of negotiation with the assistant and the BBMP official in charge of banners in the city, he got the approval after paying up Rs 1020. (http://www.ipaidabribe.com/bribe-central/bribe-put-hoardings-social-message)
Bowed by constraints of language and identity, major cities are turning out to be a nightmarish experience to live for outsiders.