India has Corruption Problems

It works like this: somebody wants a license for something. That person goes to the government office. The free application forms are all missing because some kids have stolen them. You bribe the children to give you a form. The line is long. There are people whose occupation is standing in line, and they sell you their place in line, otherwise you wait for hours. When you get to the government agent who should accept your form, he wants a bribe. You have to pay it.

The agent puts in an order for you to be inspected. If you have a business, a nongovernmental organization, want a passport, or want other licenses, someone has to come to you and check you out at your home or business. This might be an official, or a police officer, or some contracted authority. Whoever it is, they will want a bribe. If you bribe them, then you pass inspection, and they give you a form to return to the office. After you return to the office for the final bribe, you are done until you want something else.

Not many people want a big bribe. In general, the final price of a license will be double what they government asks for it after you have bribed everyone. Sanjeevani Booti admits that it came into existence through bribery. There was not anything unsavory to cover up, but the government workers simply will not do their jobs if they are not paid extra. There is a paradox in that bribery is illegal, and yet it is not possible to do many things in a legal way – such as found a controversial non-governmental organization – without bribery.

Anytime anyone does anything bureaucratic in the government, it is the custom of India to expect bribery. Corruption has an effect on Sanjeevani Booti at all times and instances when this organization deals with the government.