India Stinking

Corruption, betrayal, red tape, loot etc have become indelible characteristics of Indian society. Here is another true account of the ordeal of a common man. I purchased a duplex bungalow in 2008, in the outskirts of Nagpur. At the time of giving possession, the builder demanded an extra amount of Rs 82,000/- being service tax which the government levied after the agreement was signed. He also declared that the builder’s association has represented against this and that if the decision is ruled in favour of the builders, the amount will be returned. I coughed up the amount by a cheque and obtained a receipt for the same.

Two years later, in 2010, I accidentally came across a government notification stating that the service tax initially levied has been taken back based on the representation made by some builders’ associations. Citing this order, I asked my builder to repay the amount and there started another episode of fraud and the fight against it. The builder claimed to have paid the amount to the government exchequer and despite several request both written and verbal, he failed to give a copy of the voucher as a proof of payment. I sought information from the service tax department through RTI and there came a prompt reply that the firm is not even registered under service tax. I confronted the builder once again but it failed to make any dent on his predisposition and finally, after sending a legal notice, I had to go to the consumer court. A case was filed in Oct 2011 and after dodging the system for some time, he finally filed a reply claiming that he has remitted the amount to the service tax department, but failed to provide any valid proof. Quoting his affidavit, I made a written complaint to the service tax department in Apr 2012 urging them to take action as the builder amassed huge sums of money from almost 250 households and did not pay the same to the government. However, there was no reply or action till about Jul 2012. I initiated another RTI to know the status of the case and a reply was received stating that a different department is handling the case and that I must write to that department to obtain the information. Another RTI was originated in Oct 12 to the concerned department and I am still waiting to hear from them.

On the other hand, the President of the consumer forum retired in Jul 12 and till date a replacement has not been positioned by the Government of Maharashtra. Instead President of some other bench has been asked to look into the cases of Nagpur who finds it beyond his capacity and only gives new date each time the case comes up for hearing. The end result is there is no justice.

The builder collected Rs. 25,000/- being one time maintenance money from each household and till date he has not formed a society and handed over the funds. The residents are not concerned and are busy in their own affairs and the end result is that the colony is stinking of filth littered all over the place. There is no sewage system, garbage collection and disposal system, municipal water system and yet the authorities have given approval to build a township of over 300 houses. One wonders at the mindless colonization taking place.   

Is there any governance in this country!!! I wonder what are we paying taxes for? It also seems that the society at large has resigned to the realities of our great nation; which stinks more than it shines.