• I Paid A Bribe
  • 14 years ago
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Workflow efficiency without/with bribe

Reported on June 10, 2011 from Coimbatore , Tamil Nadu  ι Report #7634

Hi All,
The facts are recording of events that was observed in the Sub Registrar office at ********** Estate Sub-Registrar office and how systemic the process has been developed

I had been there to get a marraige certificate. The information obtained outside is that we have the brokers available in the typewriting offices available near the Sub-registrar office who can complete the process very fast
. I did not take this option as I did not believe that Sub-Registrar office will take bribe for giving marraige certificate

Workflow when bribe was not given

Reached the office directly and when approached they did not share any information on the process and finally after one hour wait said that I have to fill up a form that is worth for Rs 5

Then after filling up the form , was again asked to wait for an hour before meeting the clerk. The clerk looked at the form and said that when I mention the name, I always have to mention that S/o or D/O and rejected it. After filling that up, again have to start from the back of the line and then this time, was asking for the caste certificate evidence. Then I went back home and brought the xerox copies and again went thru the queue.I had originals with me but he said he will not be able to handle xerox copies until it is countersigned by a gazetted officer and rejected it. I then when to a gazetted officer and obtained the signature and again went thru the queue. Now he said he needs to time to verify whether all the information is filled up correctly and again asked me to wait in the front of the office.
He went for lunch without informing and came back after 3 hours.Finally escalated to sub-registrar and got the register signing formality completed as spouses and witnesses have been waiting for 5 hours to do that. I stayed back for getting the certificate. Then he gave it to the computer section where they intentionally typed the name incorrectly and asked me to proof read inspite writing very legibilly on the form. When I pointed out the name is given incorrectly they asked to validate the complete form and get all issues at one shot. Needless to say, there is a queue to follow in this area as well.

When I stood in the queue and reached again, they said office time is over and I have to come the next day

Workflow with Bribe

After speaking to brokers understood the whole dilly dallying concept. The next day went to office , reached to clerk in computer section. Gave a bribe of Rs 100 and got the name printed correctly. Went to the tormenting clerk and dropped another Rs 100 in his hand and got it signed as verified. When to the Sub-register dropped another Rs 500 and got the Marraige Certificate signed and left the place in under 1.5 hours.
Needless to say, even my marraige photos where not asked

So paying bribe is the tatkal way of getting the job done.

I really feel that we are good in designing better workflows when money is involved.The system is lethargic when the government officials do not have an incentive to deliver work for you. I thought I have spent the money for understanding the workflow design of government office in general.

This was the first time where I have paid a bribe in my life. The system is well designed that I could not think of a way to break thru the whole process. Any suggestion to break thru is most welcome

What is your reaction after reading this report?