Corruption in govt. depts. - more the rule than the exception!

On Sept. 16, 2016-November 26, 2016, 7:38 pm 

I sent my driver cum man Friday to the RMV at Narahenpitiya within two weeks of purchasing a new vehicle to get it transferred to my name the same day. The form running into about four pages was duly filled and handed over with two photographs. I also handed over a separate document attested by a JP (a community of idlers) testifying that mister so and so has on this day transferred the said vehicle to so and so and to facilitate the vehicle transfer in my name. His charge Rs.1,000/=

Due to my inability, to be present personally, my representative, having stood in the queue for about half an hour gives me a call saying that the photographs must also be signed on the reverse by a JP, gramasevaka or whoever. The officer rejected the application saying that it is a requirement (I cannot find such a requirement mentioned in the form) and directed my man to obtain the required certification. He had also said that somebody who could certify was available in the canteen.

I asked my man to go to him and get it signed. He phoned back saying that he demands Rs.1,000. I said ‘pay it.’ Having obtained his seal he had said that if we need it, he could also furnish a Grama Sevaka certificate. He had all the seals in his satchel.

Having done all that, my man was told that the vehicle had been transferred to the transferee one month earlier and that a same day transfer was not possible. My man phoned me and I spoke to the official concerned who said he cannot do anything more. He asked me to apply for a normal transfer taking two to three weeks. It is now nearly three months and I am yet to receive the registration. (Receipt No. D687832 dated 16/9/2016). He has given his mobile number and he says that he is looking for it (I know what he is looking for).

In a similar incident I had to re-validate my driving license for motor coaches (buses). Not that I need to drive a bus, but it is useful to have a licence. I first went to Nugegoda for a medical check-up and fortunately the doctor assuming that I was not going to drive a bus spared me the pains of doing exercises in his room (at age 71) and passed me.

I then had to go to Werahera to hand over all the documents. I took a three wheeler; the driver knew where I had to go, and what for. He then told me that he would get all these things done within the day and said the fee would be around 12,000/= and that the normal fee is 15,000/= without taxi fare. I said OK get it done because I cannot be bothered hanging around that place which was filled with people like bees around the honey comb!

The taxi man went to a small office right in front of the complex signposted ‘Learners’ and spoke with a lad inside. He said "give me the money" I did so and he immediately called somebody inside. The reply was that I present myself to so and so at his desk no.... And true to the taxi man’s assurance I received my driving license the same day! All done- Bravo!

I am relating this story because I was involved personally. Corruption is the norm and not the exception in about all the govt. and semi-govt. institutions all over the country. It starts with the gramasevakas and ends with the traffic cops on a daily basis. Unfortunately, this became acute during the period of the last govt. and now it continues in even a larger scale than before. It is not hard to guess why. It is the perception that the govt. is weak and that the cash in hand on a daily basis is a must to survive in the context of ever rising costs of goods and services.

It is in this environment that the finance minister in his budget has proposed heavy fines for errant drivers. Just this morning at the night boutique that I patronize they were saying a truism - that the implementation of this proposal rests with an ordinary cop on the streets. His salary may not be more that 15,000/- a month. He has to only selectively stop an errant driver or two and charge him 20,000/= twice a month and he would sooner than later be able to get a vehicle for himself by using his pay cheque as surety for a hire purchase arrangement.

The moral of the story and the reality is that the more laws are enacted to give govt. servants the power of discretion, the more corruption there will be. And that is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

I therefore urge that the ministers, prime minister and the president himself realize that enacting laws by themselves are counterproductive to their intentions. All governments must realize sooner than later that they must keep their ears to the ground. If they don’t, an unforeseen development may emerge to put things right.

G. Mahen P. Siriwardena