When Chandigarh RTO tested my patience, and not my driving

I bought my first car, a Maruti, in 1997, and went to the RTO in Sector 17 for its registration. The scene there was chaotic. A helpful man, though in layman’s language a tout, approached me. "Sir, all your worries taken care of only for Rs 350. Just hand over your file, the money, and relax." The sum was worth a day's salary, but to avoid any hassles I agreed happily.

He soon returned with a temporary slip. I drove carefree for three months. When I returned after three months, the clerk on duty said, “Your file is not traceable." My saviour appeared again and led me to a storeroom filled with dumped files. Miraculously, we found my file among the dusty piles. The tout took my file without asking for additional service charges.

The cycle of visits started again. Every visit, the clerk would give me a new slip, deferring the registration for another three months. This continued for a year.

Finally, I lost my patience. When the clerk handed me yet another slip, I sighed and said, "I think this car is not in my destiny. I should burn it in Sector 17." The clerk looked pleased until I added, "But if I lose my car, some of you will lose your jobs."

Perhaps, he had not foreseen this. "Sir, come tomorrow," he said. The next day, when he saw me in the line, he came over, and personally handed me my registration certificate. The car never gave me any bumpy rides, getting the registration, however, was another matter.

KK Garg, Chandigarh