- I Paid A Bribe
- 14 years ago
- 276 views
Custom official
- Customs, Excise and Service Tax
- Customs Check and Clearance
- Paid INR 5,000
This is not about me, Its about my friend. I am settled in the UK and my friend left for India for good. While going back he took an new SAMSUNG LCD (worth £600) television from the UK to India. Which is dutiable item.
He left the UK for India amidst all the anti corruption hoopla. He supported ********** Hazare's fast by "Like" ing it on Facebook :), cribbing about country's corruption and how UK was so much more transperant. All this is fine.
So this gentleman,lands in Mumbai and the custom official asked him for a duty of 10000 Rs on the TV. He asked him how much would it be without the receipt. The custom official said 5000 Rs. He was proud that he saved 5000 Rs thus managing to keep the total cost of the television than the price at which its available in India, without realising he was feeding corruption (or may be not wanting to realise purposely). Just wanted to publish a story with a different angle about how we support corruption for our gains. I urge that if you ever have to pay a fine/duty/charge dont ask government official for a reduced charge without the receipt. I would rather pay the full amount even if it is more. And if you dont follow this, please stop "like" ing ********** Hazare on Facebook :) or shedding crocodile tears on India's corruption
Corruption is never a one way traffic