When Pratiek Bhadranavar, a student, went to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to get his driving licence, agents told him unless he bribes officials it would be impossible to get one.
When Pratiek Bhadranavar, a student, went to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to get his driving licence, agents told him unless he bribes officials it would be impossible to get one.
He refused to oblige the touts. His application was turned down. “On my fifth visit to office, the official curtly advised me to approach an agent, if I wanted to a licence,” he said.
The agent demanded Rs1,500 “fees”. Tired of running around, Pratiek paid the money. He got his licence.
Sheetal Soman, a banker, was asked to pay bribe when she went to register official documents at the offices of the sub-registrar. “Unless we give Rs500 per document, the officials refuse to register the documents,” she alleged.
When Sheetal tried calling the phone numbers of the anti-corruption committee displayed at the office, they were incorrect.
Both Pratiek and Sheetal are among hundreds who came out to support Anna Hazare.
“We have been part of this peaceful pro-Anna agitation in Pune from August 16. It is our bitter experiences about corruption that we are here,” said Pratiek.
Members of India Against Corruption said hundreds of people who have been victims of corruption have been actively taking part in the agitation in Pune.
“Anna’s agitation against corruption has given victims of corruption a platform to vent their anger and demand a change. Their response to the stir in Pune has been terrific and spontaneous,” said Girish Deshpande, a member of IAC and spokesperson of Professionals Party of India.
Pranav Degaonkar, a student who had to pay a bribe to get his caste certificate from the citizen facilitation centre, said that the agitation should have started much earlier.
“Nothing moves in government departments without paying bribes. I am taking part in the agitation hoping that Anna would succeed in his mission for our better future,” Pranav said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}