Form-2-form

Forms , forms and more forms. Despite numerous reforms by many governments to make way for a paperless way of administration , no government happens without forms. Take for instance the very cant do-without’ driving license( DL). The ever important collection of papers or a card which lets you use the option of being mobile on something other than your feet. When you apply for a new license you are supposed to fill what they call a Form-2. If you happen to have a license already even then you fill form-2. And just in case you do not want to fill any of these then get ready to sign on a form which says “YOU’RE FINED” , generously given by the cops.

But consider this, if you already have a license for a two-wheeler in this country, then if you need zip by your new luxury car, then you need another license. This may sound fair enough but once you get it done, look for mistakes ,as that is what the government has license to do. Whats hard to digest is the fact that if the government can get away with mistakes why can’t respectable individuals like you and me? At least what many offices in small town India silently seem to suggest. One such small town called Mangalore (read Mangabore!) in Karnataka is typical of this.

A citizen of this town applied for a 4-wheeler DL. Considering the fact that he already had a 2-wheeler DL the applicant had to still use Form-2. Conveniently ignoring whether the applicant already obtained a two-wheeler license , the form had no query about it. Thus it makes it seem as though the applicant is applying freshly for a DL. After all the anxious waiting and whining , on obtaining the license the applicant realises that his prior possession of a 2- wheeler DL is not recorded in his fresh DL. I guess 2+2 = 4 .whatever!

Bureaucratic red-tapism in its mildest form is what the citizen witnesses next. He approaches the transport authorities with his case. After tossing him from one officer to another , he is only made to realize that his only two options are pay up or shut up!
Guess the reasons are interesting. Correcting a mistake , by endorsing the pre-existence of a license costs an official time and effort. An old-school of thought would suggest that the official is paid for it, but he would still ask you for Rs 300 ! How you look at Rs 300 is a matter purely of perception. If it means a fee , then good; if it means bribe ,then bad; if it means an officer’s worth, then a licensee’s time is more worthy.