- I Paid A Bribe
- 11 years ago
- 1338 views
I have recently built a house in the suburbs of Chennai, off East…
- Electricity and Power Supply
- New Connection for Houses
- Paid INR 35,000
I have recently built a house in the suburbs of Chennai, off East Coast Road @ Kovalam Village.
This comes under the Chengelpet TNEB jurisdiction.
About 5 years back, when I planned my farm house as early as 2007, one impediment we faced was TNEB power connection. Our plot is nestled in a layout which did not have a power line coming in. During the year 2007-2008, when we turned in the application for new connection, some installation expenses and underhand money were demanded of me. I was totally against paying any bribe and shelved my project, costing me a loss of Rs 50,000.00 (Fifty thousand).
During the year 2012-2013, the same issue cropped up and due to personal reasons, I did'nt have the time to slug fest with the corrupt officials. The official involved @ Kovalam TNEB JE during the month of May 2012, demanded somewhere close to Rs 40,000.00 underhand and about Rs 70,000 billable expenses. The JE who demanded money, told me : "You seem to be new to this, but the money flows up and down in the whole hierarchy and it would be impossible to go forward with providing an estimate let alone the approval of my connection without the money."
When I congregated with my fellow land owners, in the same layout, I was advised to pay up for my own benefit. I have records of emails, sent around that time, that indicate the bribe paid.
It has been an unabashedly common code of conduct from TNEB and I consistently hear stories of them harassing folks, and nothing can be done about this corrupt and shameless, spineless folks. It is common man, such as myself, who keeps this process well oiled rather than demanding their right and justice.
Yes, I paid a bribe. I'm ashamed of my behaviour.