I feel, all builders are happy to pay bribes. Because, builders know
that they can recover bribes from their property buyers - with profit!
For example, your builder asks you to pay "legal charges" - around Rs.
5,000 - in cash. Why? Because for the every agreement your builder pays
minimum Rs. 600 to the Sub-Registrar and Rs. 300 to the
senior clerk and on an average Rs. 1,000 to the rest of the staff in the
sub-registrar’s office.
In general, your bribe is as much as the 'official fees' for the
registration of your document. Means, even on your bribe, after
deducting the salary of his staff (including advocate on a payroll),
builder earns some handsome profit. As usual, at your cost.
You may or may not be a supporter of Anna Hazare's agitation but, I
know, you are against corruption. You are against giving and taking a
bribe. By refusing to pay "legal charges" to your builder, you can take a
small step towards eradication of corruption.
Don't worry about the
registration of your agreement.
Generally, the builder's representative asks for the bribe money before
your agreement is registered. Because, the builder's representative pays
bribe when he collects your document.
If you say no to bribe and refuse to pay cash to the builder's
representative, the builder has to pay from his own pocket. Because,
your agreement is more useful for your builder than to you.
Your builder, besides paying bribes for the sanctioning authorities, had
already spend a few crore rupees on advertising and sample flat, to
promote fear of property price rise, to brainwash you that booking at
the launch / pre-launch or under-construction stage is more profitable
than buying a ready possession flat and to force you to sign the
agreement. Because, your agreement is his only source of funds.
So, your builder will cough the registration charges and bribe out of
his own pocket. Because, without your agreement, your builder will not
get funds from the bank!
Who knows? By refusing to pay bribe for the registration of your
agreement, you may motivate your builder to join agitation against corrupt
Related Stories:
1) Corruption in India has become worse: Ratan Tata
2) Why politicians don't want to fight corruption
