One would imagine that developing a farm involves a lot of working with the earth. Well, yes, but it seems to us that a lot more work is to do with paper! I'm talking about the paperwork to be done with the administration, specifically, with the revenue department.
We had decided, in line with our beliefs, that we will get all our paperwork done without bribing anyone. We started with getting the "patta" transferred to our name. From the date the application was made, to when we finally got this done, was about 7 months, and took at least a dozen trips to the taluk office. Compare this with the "fast track" process that takes just over a week, but requiring some "oil" for the government machinery, of course.
Following this, and perhaps encouraged by our "success", we have gone on to get our land surveyed without paying anything unofficially for it. We also realized along the way that there are people in government service who do not demand nor expect bribes. Perhaps our stand has been an affirmation for them, in some way!
Did we learn anything? Yes, that it takes a lot of persistence to get things done this way. But more interestingly, we are learning that it is not impossible, as most people have concluded. It is just that we must be willing to pay the price if we are to take a stand against this rampant corruption. If bribes are called mamool in Tamil (roughly meaning "routine"), it is the people who pay their way to get things done who have contributed much to that situation.
We have also been encouraged and affirmed much by what the Bible says about corruption. In very clear terms, we are told that bribery perverts justice. Even if we are not doing anything illegal, the bribe we pay will affect someone else. If taking a bribe is wrong, how on earth could one justify giving one?
The next challenge? Digging a well without using explosives, getting an EB connection, permission to build a cottage, and so on. We know its going to be anything by easy, but we are clearer than ever!
Thank you for reading...take a bold stand against corruption!
We had decided, in line with our beliefs, that we will get all our paperwork done without bribing anyone. We started with getting the "patta" transferred to our name. From the date the application was made, to when we finally got this done, was about 7 months, and took at least a dozen trips to the taluk office. Compare this with the "fast track" process that takes just over a week, but requiring some "oil" for the government machinery, of course.
Following this, and perhaps encouraged by our "success", we have gone on to get our land surveyed without paying anything unofficially for it. We also realized along the way that there are people in government service who do not demand nor expect bribes. Perhaps our stand has been an affirmation for them, in some way!
Did we learn anything? Yes, that it takes a lot of persistence to get things done this way. But more interestingly, we are learning that it is not impossible, as most people have concluded. It is just that we must be willing to pay the price if we are to take a stand against this rampant corruption. If bribes are called mamool in Tamil (roughly meaning "routine"), it is the people who pay their way to get things done who have contributed much to that situation.
We have also been encouraged and affirmed much by what the Bible says about corruption. In very clear terms, we are told that bribery perverts justice. Even if we are not doing anything illegal, the bribe we pay will affect someone else. If taking a bribe is wrong, how on earth could one justify giving one?
The next challenge? Digging a well without using explosives, getting an EB connection, permission to build a cottage, and so on. We know its going to be anything by easy, but we are clearer than ever!
Thank you for reading...take a bold stand against corruption!
