Startup founder says BBMP sought bribe for water connection, gave official & unofficial options
As a startup founder, Ravichandra Reddy thought he had overcome the biggest hurdles in setting up his business in Bengaluru. However, his latest experience with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has left him shocked and disheartened. Reddy has alleged that BBMP officials demanded bribes from him for road-cutting work related to getting a water connection for his startup.
The issue began when Reddy realized that the water pipeline was located on the opposite side of the road from his startup’s premises. To get a water connection, he needed to get the road cut to lay the pipeline. Reddy approached the BBMP officials, expecting a straightforward and transparent process. However, what he encountered was a system that seemed to be designed to extract bribes from entrepreneurs like him.
According to Reddy, the BBMP officials demanded ₹80,000 as the official payment for the road-cutting work, plus an additional ₹20,000 as a bribe. The officials made it clear that the bribe was necessary to expedite the process and ensure that the work was done quickly. Reddy was taken aback by the demand, but he was even more shocked when the officials offered him an “unofficial” option.
The unofficial option involved paying ₹40,000, which is half of the official payment, but with the condition that Reddy would have to restore the road himself after the pipeline was laid. This meant that Reddy would have to bear the additional cost of restoring the road, which would add to his overall expenses. The officials made it clear that this option was not officially sanctioned, but it was a way to get the work done quickly and at a lower cost.
Reddy was faced with a difficult decision. On one hand, he could pay the official payment of ₹80,000 plus the bribe of ₹20,000, which would ensure that the work was done quickly and efficiently. On the other hand, he could opt for the unofficial option, which would save him ₹40,000, but would require him to bear the additional cost of restoring the road himself.
Reddy’s experience with the BBMP officials has raised concerns about the prevalence of corruption in the system. It highlights the challenges that entrepreneurs and small business owners face when dealing with government agencies. The demand for bribes is not only unethical, but it also creates an uneven playing field, where those who are willing to pay bribes are able to get ahead, while others are left behind.
The incident also raises questions about the accountability of government agencies. If officials are able to demand bribes with impunity, it suggests that there is a lack of oversight and accountability within the system. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that its agencies are transparent and accountable, and that entrepreneurs and citizens are able to access services without having to pay bribes.
Reddy’s experience is not an isolated incident. There have been numerous reports of corruption and bribery in government agencies, including the BBMP. It is time for the government to take concrete steps to address this issue and ensure that its agencies are transparent and accountable.
In the meantime, Reddy is left to navigate the complex and often corrupt system, where the rules are not always clear, and the officials seem to be more interested in extracting bribes than in providing services. His experience is a reminder that corruption is a major obstacle to doing business in India, and that it is time for the government to take decisive action to address this issue.
In conclusion, the experience of Ravichandra Reddy, a Bengaluru-based startup founder, highlights the challenges that entrepreneurs face when dealing with government agencies. The demand for bribes by BBMP officials is a clear example of corruption and highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability within the system. It is time for the government to take concrete steps to address this issue and ensure that entrepreneurs and citizens are able to access services without having to pay bribes.
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