"Lage Hi Rahoge ..."
Most of you would know that the movie "Lage Raho Munnabhai" is synonym to ’Gandhigiri’. Somehow this ’Gandhigiri’ bug caught up with me. And I decided to try this for myself and apply it in real world.
So I began my back and forth journey (very much like our mumbai local trains) to get my Income Tax Refund amount of Rs 5, 300 pending since last year at Kalyan.
What was so different, since thousands get their refund cheques. Well embarrassingly as it may sound, I wanted my refund amount, ETHICALLY!
Week 1. (1st visit to IT Office)
Junior clerk finds that the refund amount of Rs 5, 300 is not mentioned in IT records (even when all necessary documents like Form 16 and investments proofs were submitted last year). So I had to give a ’refund rectification’ letter. When I met the respective IT Officer named Gajare, he asked if I want it very soon, which I declined humbly (BIG MISTAKE). Meanwhile scores of people were leaving smilingly with their refund cheques, within an hour, reminding me of my idiotic wish!
Time: **3.5 hours
*Cost: Rs 400 (half day salary) + Rs 20 (Traveling charges) = Rs 420 (figure, clearly depicts me!)
Result: **Just submitted a letter!
*Reality starts to surface!
Week 2. (2nd visit to IT Office)
Junior clerk says the lady who does the correction on computer has gone for the vacation, only to return in January 2007. I practically barged in the Gajare’s (IT officer) cabin, demanding the reason for making me run from pillar to post, while others were getting their refunds smoothly (and that reason was obvious). Like a smart cookie, he sensed danger and promised that I would surely get my refund, next week!
Time: **2 hours
Cost: Rs 400 (half day salary) + Rs 20 (Traveling charges) = Rs 420
Result: Nothing, but false promises!
*Gandhigiri almost ’Fizzled out.
Week 3. (3rd visit to IT Office)
This time I didn’t pay any heed to the junior clerk, instead I directly approached Gajare (IT officer), asking if ever I’ll get my refund. All he did was asked his assistant to do correction in the computer (while I was told earlier, it won’t be possible without the lady who was on vacation). Indeed, the b?????d, proclaimed that he was going out of way to support me. Like usual, scores of people were getting their refund.
Time: **3 hours
Cost: Rs 400 (half day salary) + Rs 20 (Traveling charges) = Rs 420
Result: Nothing, just a correction in the computer!
*Whatza ’Gandhigiri’.
Luckily, I met a known tax consultant, who suggested to let go with 10% and refund cheque would be with me, maximum by 1st week of 2007. So my common sense has returned back and now I’m hoping to receive my refund amount less 10%.
Moral of the Story:
Instead of just Rs 600, I lost > 3 times (Rs 1850) and wasted 9 hours - just to realise my folly of following, which is practically impossible in India!
My boss is suspicious that probably I’m on look-out for another job
Some things are just better in ’Reel’ and never in ’Real’
Don’t be stupid, do like the way its being done, or "Lage Hi Rahoge ..."
Finally I realized, the true meaning of ’Gandhigiri’, to get things done, simply pass on notes printed with ’Gandhiji’!