ULTAPULTA
Law & disorder
Jaspal Bhatti

The law-abiding citizens should not expect any benefit from the authorities. It is always the law-breakers who are given incentives to obey the law. Incentives are meant for those people who are likely to be dishonest, corrupt or work-shirkers.

After every three to four years, there is a scheme for those who haven’t paid their income tax, luring them to convert their black money into white. Have you heard of the honest taxpayer being rewarded with a one-year tax holiday?

A few days back I read the Haryana Government’s offer of giving on-the-spot electricity connections to all those who are stealing power by using kundi.

Those who encroach upon government land to make jhuggis or illegal shops are given land at concessional rates normally before elections. But if you are a legitimate owner of some property and you wish to get permission for constructing an extra room, chances are you may not get the permission easily.

The police normally sides with the law-breaker because they know that they are not likely to get anything from the victim. Government officials and ministers are more than happy to regularise an irregular thing because they are likely to earn something from the deal. No one is interested or bothered if you obey the rule. So to be in the good books of the authorities, break the law.

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