Gumasta License Pangs:

Gumasta License Pangs:

"The babus had been groomed by the system to hide almost everything from those for whose service they were employed ….. They moved around with an air and paraphernalia that people generally referred to them as "uncivil" servants."  Right to service next step after RTI - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

This is a license - locally called Gumasta License & in English known as shops & establishment license - that digs the dagger directly into the heart of morality on the streets of Mumbai. It is a rent collection by Municipality babus from the small & poor entrepreneurs. When you set up an office or shop, you are supposed to apply for this disgusting chit of scrambled letter, the quality of which is even worse than the lowest quality of toilet paper, ever seen in the world. Applying & paying the sum for this archaic colonial or probably pre-colonial act is not so much of an inconvenience for the citizens. But the problem lies in first bribing to get the form, 2^nd getting the form accepted with bribes, 3^rd getting the letter issued by paying bribe, and if this is not enough by being visited by the devilish looking and spit dribbling Municipality inspectors for more bribes for some obscure digression of some law or notification, that can only be found in the archived British Colonial Museum. 

All of us are aware of the pain to go through this procedure. As an honest citizen, you end up paying a whole lot of bribes, negotiating with a whole of greedy goons, and wasting a whole lot of precious time with such oppressive laws and their lousy compliance. If you discuss this with any of the shop owners they would laugh at your naivety. They would advise you not to apply or comply. Just wait for the Municipality guys to come to your place once in a while and pay some ghoos. Simple and quick. The pain just disappears like Zandu Balm. 

What surprises me, is not the corrupt Municipality inspectors coercing & forcing you to pay bribes for this arcane & uncivilised Gumasta license; the surprise is at the level of tolerance for all of us to just succumb to their dirty & greedy pot bellies, without a protest! Are we really that effete & coward, to refuse to comply with such bad laws and paying bribes to comply with such bad laws?

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