Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Corrupting India

Three contractors are in a bar after work enjoying a cold one, when a truck crashes into the bar killing all of them.
Suddenly they're at the pearly gates and Saint Peter says “This is perfect. The gates need repair and I can get three estimates.”
He asks the first contractor Bubba what it would take to fix the gates. Bubba walks over to the gates, inspects them, measures them and gives Saint Peter an estimate of $750.
Saint Peter says thank you and asks the next contractor for an estimate. He walks over to the gates, inspects them, measures them and gives Saint Peter an estimate of $1500, and tells him I won't make a dime off this.
Saint Peter says thank you and asks the next contractor for an estimate. Anthony quickly gives Saint Peter a price of $2750. Saint Peter asks Anthony how he could come up with an estimate of two thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars without even inspecting or measuring the gates. Anthony replies, "Its easy Saint Peter, $1000 for you, $1000 for me, $750 for Bubba"

This contractor Anthony is surely an Indian contractor. Most infrastructure and construction contracts happen this way in India. In most PSU companies, tendering is a closed ring (especially in the eastern coal belt) and anything where spending is involved.
We have the recent case of a Madhu Koda ( one of the younger state Chief minister) who is alleged to have 'laundered' a few thousand crore (1cr= ten million) rupees. Whilst the media is going hammer and tongs at this, NO ONE QUESTIONS WHO GAVE THE BRIBES? SURELY EQUAL GUILT IS WITH THE BUSINESSMAN WHO GAVE THE BRIBES. If Madhu Koda is guilty, the guys who gave the bribes are more guilty and they should be the first ones to be punished.
Mera Bharat Kahaan?

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