Morality? A Rara Avis.

I am in the process of selling a flat in Gurgaon. As I told brokers and buyers that I wanted a 'full cheque' payment (My apologies to any foreign readers who may not understand what this means. What I am referring to is the Indian practice of taking part of the payment in cash, thereby avoiding tax) their expressions ranged from frank incredulity to pity. WHY would anyone want to pay a penny more tax than was absolutely necessary even if the process involves doing something blatantly illegal? Clearly, the process of defrauding the government was being blithely undertaken by all concerned, the government's tall claims of having reduced/eliminated 'black' money notwithstanding. It's a different matter that the colour of the 'black' money is now a bilious  pink, given the rather loathsome colour of the new Rs 2000 notes.

Recently, I needed to change the tyres on my car. The dealer offered me 3 alternatives for payment:

1. Cash - no tax (GST) would be levied. On my asking what would happen to the warranty for the tyres as it would be an unrecorded purchase, the dealer reassured me. "Hum hain na sirji. Tusi nischint raho." Again, the flavour of this statement is typically North Indian. Full of nice sounding insincerity.  
2. Cash or Cheque with GST. Here the cost was significantly higher due to the high rates that are applicable under the GST regime.
3. Credit Card - Here an additional 2% would be levied on top of option 2 by the dealer to account for the credit card charges that he had to pay the card company. 

He was clearly disappointed and a bit contemptuous when I opted for 3. However I manged to mitigate my own stupidity by prevailing upon him to forgo the 2% credit card charge. A small victory indeed!

There are innumerable examples of the traffic police coming up with 'Good Driving Week' where they will challan you if your car crosses the stop line at a traffic light, or for over-speeding or a whole range of minor traffic offences. Once the week is over, it's business a usual with a quiet colloquy with the traffic cop and some money that solves all problems.

It is fair to say that there are some areas where such dishonesty has been reduced or eliminated. Railway reservations, driving licences, passports, etc, largely due to IT that has led to the elimination of touts and brokers. However, the Indian psyche seems to naturally gravitate towards the easy (and cheaper) way out.

So are we an immoral society? The short answer is "yes".

Politicians and Godmen never tire of extolling the virtues of our glorious past. We claim to have have invented virtually everything from aeroplanes to nuclear bombs and we have a monopoly on any intellectual or artistic activity. A truly prolific and talented people indeed! We can be justly proud of the Ramrajya in the past but spare a thought for our immoral present where 'subkuch chalta hai' and businessmen and others revel in the tax that they have evaded and the rules that they have bent!

I wonder when it became socially acceptable to entertain a black-marketer or tax evader in your drawing room. The only problem is that you may lose all your friends and acquaintances if you were to rigidly enforce this rule. Coming to think of it you may be barred entry into your own drawing room as well!

PS - I did finally manage to sell my flat on 'full cheque' payment. Looks like I'm not the only foolish fellow around!


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