When you say ‘no’, you will not be the only one

As someone who quit his job in an MNC to turn entrepreneur, I realised the arduous journey ahead even before I could start. It was hell to be an entrepreneur as it was still the license-permit raj in 1988-89 when I prepared to set up Premier Starch Products Private Limited at Kamakshipalya in Bangalore.

The encounters with authorities to get power connection and other licenses were a nightmare to this day as palms needed to be greased at every stage. I am a rebel by nature and refused to take it without a fight. Even a minor typing error in our documents was being used to fleece us and it was one such experience that boosted my morale to take up the fight against corruption.

One of our consignments was stopped at a checkpost just because the invoice had a small typing mistake. The lorry was stopped and the driver was prevented from moving ahead. My requests over the phone fell on deaf ears. I was forced to rush to the spot as the deadline for delivering the consignment was approaching. The officer demanded Rs500 to give the go ahead and I turned really wild.

I had not committed anything illegal, my conscience refused to accede to the demand even though I faced the risk of incurring losses. I staged an impromptu protest in front of the checkpost. I gathered some others who were waiting for clearance at the checkpost just like I was and called up some of my close friends. I started addressing the gathering like a leader and soon the gathering swelled to about 50 people.

The checkpost authorities threatened to have me arrested. The officials complained to the police that I was preventing them from discharging their duties as government servants. This new threat further strengthened my resolve. I started shouting at even the police, challenging them to arrest me for refusing to pay a bribe.

The gathering soon started raising its voice in my defence, the commercial tax authorities felt the heat and started sweating. With the gathering threatening to unleash its wrath and the police toning down their posture, the commercial tax officials had no other way but to express their regret and allow my consignment to move on.

Things have changed a lot after 1995 with the liberalised economy. Introduction of VAT and other changes have eradicated most of the hurdles for entrepreneurs that used to be exploited by the authorities to harass us.

— The writer is president, Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industries