• I Paid A Bribe
• 13 years ago
• 781 views

The nice officer working hard didn't seem so nice when I realised after coming home that he had taken a bribe of Rs. 30 for my Domicile Certificate

• Municipal Services
• Domicile Certificate
• Paid INR 30

City: Pune
Location: Talathi's office, Mamledar Kacheri, Shukrawar Peth, Pune
Amount: Rs. 30
Name of Person: Do not know. Not written

I went to get a Domicile Certificate for my sister. To get a domicile certificate, you first need to get an affidavit from the Nagrik Suvidha Kendra (Citizen Facilitation Centre) in the Collector's office. While getting the affidavit, (two copies are enough) the person at the counter gave 4 copies and charged Rs. 40 for it. Ideally, two copies are enough (and I don't know how much should be charged for it, it is not written anywhere). But the officer gave 4. Anyways, extra copies should be free or cost Re. 1 (it is just a simple photocopy).

Then I went to the Mamledar Kacheri office to get a stamp and signature on the domicile certificate form from the Talathi. The Talathi (in this case the Yerawada area Talathi) had installed someone else on the desk who was checking the papers and putting the stamp. This person was coolly charging everyone Rs. 30 for a job which should be done for free. He was charging it so confidently as if it is the designated fee for getting the stamp and signature. After the stamp, the Talathi (a lady sitting on another desk) simply signed the stamped form.

This is a clear case of corruption inside a government office whereby an officer is misusing his office and charging a fee for what is supposed to be his/her job and is supposed to be done for free.

To get a simple thing as a domicile certificate one has to get a dozen documents as well as attested xerox copies of all these documents. People who manage to fulfill the documentary requirements have to go to the collectorate, stand in a long queue to get a stamp. Then stand in a queue to get a form (for a domicile certificate), then stand in a very long queue to get the affidavit. Then again stand in a long queue to get the affidavit signed. Then go all the way to the Mamledar Kacheri and wait to get another form, get the documents checked and the form stamped and signed. By this time, the individual is so dead tired that even if the Talathi asks for a hundred rupees, many people might be willing to give. They are so scared that the Talathi might ask them to go back to the Collector's office because of some mistake. So the person (the Talathi's substitue) checks the papers and takes Rs. 30 for each stamp. The Talathi then signs the stamped form. The ordeal is not yet over. They have to take the stamped and signed form and all other documents back to the Nagrik Suvidha Kendra in the Collectorate the next day between 10:00 to 1:00 pm. There, they have to submit the documents after paying a fees of Rs. 20. However, beware! Here too if you give a Rs. 50 note then you will only get Rs. 20 back. Or maybe nothing at all. It is entirely upto the whims and fancies of the officer in front. After standing in queue for an hour you don't want him to not accept your application. So you dare not fight or say a word no matter how much the officer charges. And that is what most people do..

After 3 trips and 7 queues and 3 trips (one to the collectorate, another to the Mamledar Kacheri and another to the collectorate) (at the minimum) one finally gets a reciept and information about when he or she will receive the certificate.

The Nagrik Suvidha Kendra seems to be more of a Nagrik Asuvidha kendra. There is absolutely no information anywhere about the procedures. There is a lady who sits there to assist the applicants. And she nods her head at any question one might happen to ask her. I'm sure if the administration wanted and really cared about the citizens, they could take measures to make the procedure simpler, less harassing and ensure that there is no room for officials to charge more than the stipulated amount.

When will this ever stop. Why can't the papers be checked by someone sitting in the same office where the affidavit is prepared. Why are people made to suffer the torture of having to stand in multiple queues, make multiple trips, fight with each other in never ending queues in stuffy rooms and pay bribes over above all of that. Officials are hesitant to reveal any information and agents come and fill in the information gap. There are scores of agents roaming outside all government offices including the collectorate and the Mamledar Kacheri. All of whom charge a fees to simplify the process for you and save you the harassment. Why is it that one has to go through an agent to find out what are the documentary requirements and to know the correct procedure? It is clear that the officials in these departments work hand in hand with these agents to make life **********for the citizen so that the only way out is to pay the agent a handsome sum for a job which the officials are supposed to do. This is only a story based on a particular incident. However, we all know that this is the story of each and every government office where citizens have to necessarily visit at some point in their lives - whether it is the railway reservation counter, the passport office, the electricity department or the Transport Department where one gets a license. Everyone knows and sees that the administration is working hand in hand with the agents to make life **********for the citizen if he decides not to use the agent and go through the proper channel. When will we see the day when a politician will rise up and ask for votes saying that they will stop all this. They fight on useless issues but never stand up and stay I will ensure that the public delivery system becomes efficient and corruption free.. I am still waiting for that politician to caste my vote..

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Yerawada
Pune