32. Oblesh tries to give bribe to honest Ramana

CHAPTER 32

Oblesh tries to give bribe to honest Ramana

A new executive engineer Ramana was appointed in the district headquarters. There was too much corruption going on. Ramana was an honest engineer. He could not even think of taking bribe.

Ramana went through the files in his office. Then he looked at the engineers and contractors. “From tomorrow, I will inspect all the jobs and then only I will sanction the bills. You all be at the spot. I will come with my officials.”

Office manager said, “Sir, such a system did not exist here.”

Ramana became serious. “I feel like suspending you first.”

He went and climbed into his jeep. He looked at his assistant engineer. “Come let us go.”

They all sat in the jeep. The contractors took their motor bikes and pretended to leave. Once the jeep left, they stopped their bikes.

One contractor said, “I have not yet started the job. What will he inspect?”

Another contractor said, “I have completed 10% of the job and put bills for 50%. He seems to be very strict. We will have to talk to brother.”

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At 10 am, Ramana was in his house. He was getting ready to go to the office. Oblesh arrived in a jeep. Contractors arrived in 4 or 5 motorbikes.

Oblesh looked at the contractors and said, “You all remain here itself. I will went and speak to him.”

Oblesh’s assistant showed a file.

Oblesh asked, “Is everybody’s paper in this?

One contractor said, “Manager has given all the files as soon as you told him.”

Oblesh went in with assistant.

Ramana looked at him. “Who are you? What do you want?”

Oblesh said politely, “I came to meet you.”

Ramana said, “If it is office work, I am going there only.”

“No it is personal work.”

Ramana was surprised. “Please sit down.”

Oblesh kept the suitcase on one side and the file on another side. “This is for you.”

Ramana was shocked. “What is all this?”

Oblesh pointed to the suitcase. “Take this and sign the files.”

Ramana said angrily. “Ah! Are you agent for those contractors? I will phone to the police and get you arrested for giving bribe.”

Oblesh laughed. “Maybe you don’t know our system. I am the brother-in-law of minister. My name is Oblesh. Do you want to phone to the circle or the SP?”

He took out his mobile.

Ramana was shocked. “You may be the brother-in-law of minister or his brother. I don’t care. But they have not done any job and they are producing bills.”

Oblesh became serious. “If I press the button, all your staff will come to my house. I think you have not understood that yet.”

Ramana said adamantly, “I have told you that I don’t sign bills like this. Please leave.”

Ramana’s wife came out hearing the commotion.

Oblesh stared at her. Then he quietly took the suitcase with money. Looking at the lady, he said, “No problem. Keep the files with you. You will sign it and brought it to my house by yourself.”

He went away leaving the files on the table.

Ramana bit his teeth. “First I have to suspend that manager who gave these files to him.”