Tongue-in-cheek, Soumya exposes the deep-rooted corruption in the banking sector, through his protagonist, Ajay Sharma, for Different Truths.
This was the first branch that Ajay, a twenty-five-year-old just two years after leaving college and working, was heading. He was super excited. The idealism of college days was still strong in him. He wanted to do good for society.
The office was in the outskirts of Delhi, and the previous manager had died in office of a heart attack…
The office was in the outskirts of Delhi, and the previous manager had died in office of a heart attack while drinking, apparently a practice in that office. He was also undergoing a CBI investigation for corruption charges. As no one else was willing to go there, the bosses thought that sending Ajay would solve problems and get the outspoken young man out of the way.
Notorious Office
It was a notorious office, where discipline was unheard of, and corruption was the norm.
The cashier used to charge money from the agents to deposit their collections.
The cashier used to charge money from the agents to deposit their collections. When Ajay tried to stop this, the cashier simply drew lines on the cheques so that they are presumed cancelled. Ajay had to check everything personally to stop this.
He had to also cancel the evening parties in the office with the managers of the neighbourhood banks and other government agencies which were funded by the daily collections under the table. This gave him the reputation of being a snob and unsocial.
Rural Business
He decided to concentrate on rural business and solicited cattle insurance from the diaries in the area. This received enthusiastic response and business flooded in.
But next Monday, he was stunned to find that many cattle had mysteriously died, on Friday, after closing hours.
But next Monday, he was stunned to find that many cattle had mysteriously died, on Friday, after closing hours. And as the carcass couldn’t be kept, they were disposed off, after getting certified by the vet. And the ear tags were deposited in the office.
Eager to help the poor Ajay decided to immediately process the files and release the payment.
An Anomaly
Then an anomaly struck him. How did the vet cover such a vast territory certifying cattle deaths all in one evening? A call to the bank officer, who had sanctioned the loan, got a surprising response. Sir, don’t worry, release the money, slowly over time your share will reach you by month end as per previous arrangement.
Further enquiry revealed that these were loans given on non-existent cattle certified by the vet.
Further enquiry revealed that these were loans given on non-existent cattle certified by the vet. And they subsequently died again, certified by the vet. The claim amount is shared by the loan officer, vet, and branch manager, while the dairy owner gets a cut. Everyone is happy and only the government loses money.
Same Tag Numbers
After more research he found that the same tag numbers have been on cattle that had died every few months after being reborn and bought on loan from different banks in the area. The theory of reincarnation was thus established by the official records. Alternatively, cattle also shared the ability of the cats of having nine lives.
Ajay Sharma rejected the claims and the diary owners cursed him for being anti poor.
Ajay Sharma rejected the claims and the diary owners cursed him for being anti poor. And their political representatives came and threatened agitation.
Ajay was cured of his idealism and decided to pursue corporate clients only henceforth.
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