Pune citizens recount corruption experiences of shame

DD Delhi official delayed payment
We had a very bad experience with Doordarshan, Delhi. The officials were extremely rude with us. Despite a film of ours being screened by them, they did not make the payment. When we asked them for it, they demanded proof of the film screening. When we did indicate the entry of the film to the transmission section, the official got very angry. Though he did not ask for money directly, we got the hint. However, we waited patiently and continued sending reminders till we got our money.
—Sumitra Bhave & Sunil Sukthankar, film-makers
 
My driving licence was confiscated
I normally take an aggressive stand when it comes to corruption and I never pay any bribe to get things done. Some time ago, my driver accidentally violated a traffic signal and the traffic cop asked me to pay Rs50 for the offence. When I demanded a receipt, he got upset and confiscated my
driver’s licence.
—Sonali Kulkarni, actor
 
Money for making a duplicate certificate
Recently, when my mother and I went to the Pune district collector’s office to get a domicile certificate for my brother, they asked us to produce the death certificate of my late father. We were not carrying it. A man who overheard our conversation approached us and said that he could instantly make a duplicate death certificate for Rs500. When we refused, he actually began bargaining with us and dropped his rate to Rs100.
—Tejashree Chaudhari, recruitment co-ordinator

Medical certificate on the spot
When I was in Bhubaneshwar pursuing my graduation, I fell ill and could not attend classes. One needed the obligatory 60% attendance. When I went to the examination department and explained that I would provide a medical certificate in two days, they simply told me: ‘Madam, don’t waste your time. Give us money and we will get a medical certificate from a doctor’. I was shocked. This is the way things work in our country. A honest person cannot survive in India.
—Soni Singh, maths teacher

I bribed a traffic constable
When I decided to pen my guilt, I thought of all those people who hold me in high esteem. I felt even more responsible as I teach management students. The occasion for me to bribe someone was a typical experience in college, where I bribed a constable as I didn’t have a driver’s licence. In those days, the bribe amount was just Rs10. My friend, being more experienced in such matters “managed” the situation, while I watched. That was the first time I felt like a criminal as well as a victim. I felt angry as well as guilty. I said to myself no matter what, this constable shouldn’t be able to enjoy that money.
—Rahul Shiledar, advertising professional

Charges when there were none
When I shifted my house, I informed the gas agency about it. As per the rules, gas agencies are not supposed to levy any service charges for the change in area, but this agency insisted on it. I had to pay up but they did not give me a receipt.
—Praveen Bhole, theatre personality
 
Anna should follow Jayaprakash
Since most people know that I am against giving bribes, they do not demand it. As far as corruption is concerned, I would like to suggest the Jayprakash Narayan method, where he appealed to dacoits from Chambal to surrender. Anna should also appeal to corrupt people to surrender and confess that they are corrupt.
—Mohan Agashe, actor

Hazare made a beginning
Whenever we go to the Balgandharva auditorium and book the hall, the Pune Municipal Corporation officials tell us that our event could be cancelled if they get any other event coming up that day. One fails to understand how, after paying the fees for the hall, the PMC officials can come up with such weird rules. How can a venue be changed at the last moment when all preparations have been made and tickets sold? The implementation of the Jan Lokpal bill will bring in a check on such officials and activities. The bill may have its pros and cons, but Hazare has given us the needed beginning.
—Parimal Phadke,
classical dancer
(Compiled by Pallavi Kharade, Priyanka Naithani & Nisha Garud)