India's Small Business Owners Protest Customs Corruption
Small business owners in India are speaking out against alleged corruption in the country's customs and compliance systems. Dr. Ravi Pachaiyappan, an animal nutritionist, recently shut down his Tamil Nadu warehouse after refusing to pay a bribe to approve a Google Map update. His experience echoes others, including that of Wintrack Inc, which has escalated into a national controversy.
Dr. Pachaiyappan's ordeal began when Chennai Customs demanded a ₹3,000 bribe to approve a routine Google Map update for his AugiePets warehouse in Krishnagiri. Refusing to comply, he shut down operations. Chennai Customs, however, denies these allegations, attributing delays to misdeclaration of items and promising a thorough review.
The case of Wintrack Inc, a logistics company, has gained significant traction. Its founder, Prawin Ganeshan, claimed he was forced to shut down Indian operations due to alleged harassment and bribe demands from Chennai Customs. The finance ministry has since ordered an inquiry into these bribery allegations.
The experiences of Dr. Pachaiyappan and Wintrack Inc have sparked outrage among public figures like Mohandas Pai and Shashi Tharoor, with many small importers sharing similar stories on social media. The Enforcement Directorate has filed bribery charges against Dr. Pachaiyappan. These incidents highlight the growing concern of quiet, small-scale corruption eroding India's small business base.
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