B Jayashree: Don't yield to demands for even small sums

There’s been a lot of debate on the Lokpal Bill, and the venality of netas and babus. But what about ordinary citizens? Though we often have no choice but to pay a bribe, isn’t it within our power to refuse to do so and break the cycle of corruption? With this thought, DNA, over the next few days brings you a series where eminent persons speak about putting their foot down.

I have never paid a bribe. There were many occasions when I was asked to pay, but I did not.

About 12 years ago, we had to register a site we bought at Rajarajeshwarinagar, Bangalore. We were told, “Give us this much, we will make it smooth for you.” My husband and I refused.

We insisted that we will pay whatever is legally required. If a penalty had to be paid, we would do that too if a receipt was given. Instead of paying a bribe we went from table to table with our documents. It wasn’t easy. We were asked to go to Chamarajpet, there they sent us to Banashankari, then to Chennamanakere Achchukattu. It took us about two months to complete the process.

Yes, it was troublesome but we are happy that we did not pay.

We had similar experiences when an old house on a plot belonging to my husband had to be demolished and a new one built. About six years ago, we had to register a small plot at Kumaraswamy Layout. After 25 years of paying for the site that was given to us as part of allotments to artistes, the site was finally being handed over but it was not easy. There too we had to face disgruntled officers because we turned down demands for a bribe.

These experiences have taught us much about the registration process.

One should not yield even to demands for small sums. I had the same answer for the lady who collects garbage in our area. She asked for Rs10 per month to do the job. Again, I told her you do the work because you are already paid salary for the work. When I got the chance, I brought the matter to the attention of top officials and it was sorted out. But one of my neighbours was not so lucky.

The worker did not turn up for two months; finally, she had to be coaxed into coming back, money had to be paid for the two months. This incident happened long before I became an MP.

Citizens routinely encounter such demands. But most of us give in because we are lazy to resist. That should go. We must understand the value of our hard-earned money.  There had to be determination, honesty discipline to say no to bribes — be it giving or taking.

The writer is a Rajya Sabha member and theatre person.