Government Babus

Government babus (officials) use different tactics to extract bribe. You may take the following action to counter those tactics. These are very simple & useful. I have tried them with very successful results.

(1) Indefinite Delay: They keep on delaying your work until you go to them & offer bribe.

Solution: Don’t visit government offices. Follow up your pending work through letters. You may send letters by courier, registered post or speed post. Local speed post costs only Rs 12/-. Local couriers are available at Rs 5/-. You may also use RTI Act to know status of your work. In this case you need to spend another Rs 10/-.

(2) Demanding unnecessary papers: Sometimes they demand unnecessary papers & give hints that work can be done without those papers if you bribe.

Solution: If they can offer to do your work without additional papers with bribe, it means that those papers were definitely unnecessary. (i) Ask babus to demand those papers in writing and record the conversation. (ii) Write a letter stating that you demanded these papers. Are they really mandatory as per law? You can also use RTI Act here. (iii) Use RTI Act to find out whether he demanded those papers from other applicants. (iv) Whatever paper he demands, send by post. Never deliver anything without receipt.

Remember no officer will complete your work without mandatory papers. He will keep his file perfectly clean.


(3) They advise you to pay bribe so that you pay less tax / penalties. Many times they demand higher amount for penalties than prescribed under laws.

Solution: (1) Check laws if you can (2) Record conversation & tell them that you are going to report to Anti-Corruption Bureau. (3) Use RTI Act to find out how much was paid by others under similar circumstances.

(4) When the babu is not available in office.

Solution: Write a letter that I came to your office on say, 1st August at 11 AM but you were not available. Your assistant Mr. Rama Rao told me to come again on 5th August. This letter will make him take special care of your work.

(5) If nothing works, try this.

When you don't have any option, record the conversation, pay money & get your work done. After your work is completed, meet that babu and demand your money back. Tell him that you are going to complaint, if he does not return your money.
(6) Develop the habit of complaining.
Whenever you see crime & corruption, send written complaints to head of that department, ACB / CBI, local newspapers
(7) Don’t be submissive.
Call babus by their names. Don’t call them "sir". Be polite but don’t show unnecessary respect. Be firm and confident. Babus are always afraid of knowledgeable people.

These methods may sound unbelievable but try it at least once to discover their power.

Remember: Smallest action is much better than the noblest intentions.