I had parked our Ertiga in a lane in Pune yesterday when this happened. I returned to our car and found a clamp on our front wheel. A towing van with a lady police constable in it was nearby.
I asked the van operator who had a swipe machine ready in his hand, “What’s the fine?”
He said, “The fine for parking in a no parking zone is Rs 2000 but it’s ok you can pay us Rs 720 and we’ll show them as towing van charges.”
Very sheepishly, I agreed to pay the smaller amount. He punched in something and about 30 seconds later I told him, “LISTEN, I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to pay Rs 720. I want to pay the full amount: Rs 2000.”
He was shocked, “Sir, now we can’t do anything. I’ve already created the receipt in the system. Now you’ll have to go through with the Rs 720 payment.”
“Well, too bad,” I told him. In that case I’ll pay the Rs 720 AND I’ll pay Rs 2000.”
“Sir, that’s not possible”. After a bit of argument I approached the constable. I apologized to her for succumbing to the “offer” they had given. I admitted I had been greedy and had made a mistake and been a bad citizen. I requested her that she should give me a chance to rectify my mistake.
She refused saying the system will not allow it. An argument started with her as well. I told her if I pay Rs 2000 the government will benefit and it will eventually mean a better salary for her.
She told me, “Sir, if you pay Rs 2000, the local corporator will get Rs 1000. Our salaries will not increase.”
By now I was agitated, but she was calm as a cucumber. She told me how people fight with her everyday from 9am to 9pm and refuse to even pay Rs 720.. and how she has learnt to maintain her cool.
She asked me what I do for a living. She told me how much she admired my spirit and I told her how much I learnt from her about being calm even when you feel things are unfair. She told me I had been a great teacher to her and I told her she had been the same to me.
She shared with me her salary (Rs 38000) and her monthly expenses, her household troubles and a lot more.
I eventually paid Rs 720 (the system wouldn’t allow me to pay more) but I left the lane a wiser, kinder and more compassionate person.