Back in November 2004, after having just booked my first flat with the builder, I was looking for a good home loan deal. At the back of my mind I had this "All Smiles Home Loan" offer from ABN AMRO where the interest rates would be fixed at 6.5% for first 2 years and will be at prevailing floating rate after that. The rate of 6.5% was lowest in those times and getting it fixed for next 2 years was icing on the cake. My only worry was whether I'd be eligible for the loan or not.
Anyhow, I contacted 3 different home loan providers and finally was happy to apply for All Smiles Home Loan. But I had this worry at back of my mind that after two years bank might arbitrarily fix the interest rates so I insisted that I should be given a rate relative to bank's benchmark rate. Around a week after applying for loan I got this SMS that my All Smiles Home Loan has been sanctioned. My condition was also honored by fixing the rate at HPLR + 0.25%. I was obviously happy and felt fortunate to have loan at such a low rate of interest.
Two years quickly passed and interest rates started rising in the market. In two years time they went from 7-8% to 8.5-9.5%. I was wondering what ABN AMRO's interest rate would be. And when it came, I was utterly disappointed as it was fixed at 11.25%. This was at least 2% points more than the competitors in the upper band. I somehow took this with a pinch of salt thinking that its still a profitable deal with me paying interest only at 6.5% for first 2 years at least.
But what came after 6 months broke me completely. My loan rates were bumped to 13%. All the other banks were charging interest at 10-11%. I checked at their website and HPLR was 12.75%. I had no case to argue...
I still hoped that my bank will also reduce my EMI as prevailing interest rates come down. They did for sure... from 10-11% to 9-10% but my 'floating' rates seemed to have struck an ice burg at 13%. I felt deeply betrayed and it would not be exaggeration to say that...
My smile was taken away by All Smiles Home Loan of ABN AMRO bank!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Tryst With Rajasthan Shilp Gramodyog
This gem of an experience dates back around 2004-05 when I visited city of Jaipur for a leisure trip. I visited many places in this pink city which is one of the hottest tourist spots in India. The Jaigarh Fort located at the hill-top besides the city is one of the main attractions and I too got attracted towards it and decided to pay a visit there.
After having seen the fort, just before the exit gate there was this handloom showroom bearing the name "Rajasthan Shilp Gramodyog" supposedly a government approved shop. I went around the shop and saw a few things there though I did not have any intention to purchase one. Somehow this silver looking tray-glass set caught my eyes with nice designs drawn over it and I casually enquired about it to one of the salesperson manning the counter. I saw his eyes lit up (there were more than 5 sales persons and I was the sole customer in the showroom) and he started telling me about the item.
"Sir, this is a very nice piece of rare art. You won't find it anywhere else in the world."
I paused for a moment and just for the sake of continuing the discussion, I said, "But what's it made of? Is it durable enough and good to use?"
"Definitely Sir!". He continued further, "It is made of tri-metals - nickle, chromium and silver - and totally non-toxic. You can use it for serving tea, water or any other bewerages."
"How long will it retain its shine?" I asked sarcastically.
"It will remain so forever. We will give you 10 years guarantee and you can get the 75% refund anytime." came the reply with tons of assurance.
"How much's the price?" I asked with the thought that why not to buy this... its a good looking item with cool artistic craft.
"It's only Rs. 1500 and we will give you 10% discount."
"Ok. Let's pack it up." I finally decided to buy it. I paid Rs. 1350 for that and got the stamp of "10 years' 75% refund guarantee" on the bill.
I came back to Delhi and got busy with usual chorus. After around a month or so, while looking at a vacant place in my showcase, I recalled the set of tray and 4 glasses. I immediately got the packet from closet and opened it.
And sure enough... I was stunned!
There were no silver-like glittering tray and glasses. All I had in my lap were dark, rusty, rough metal objects. You can gauge the level of anger and frustration I went through but I had no way out. I was in Delhi, the item was bought from a shop located at hill-top besides city of Jaipur - approx. 300 kms. away from Delhi.
I contacted the shop at the phone no. given on the bill, had to spoke few times with them and finally got the promise of refund. Few months later, I happened to visit Jaipur again and I squeezed half day from my hectic shedule and went to the same shop carrying the garbage in my hand hoping to get the refund.
Alas! All I got was an offer to get the 75% refund. It may not look bad but if you think what the hell should he get Rs. 350 for? For few rusted iron pieces which were not even worth a penny, leave alone my expenses I had to make just to return the item.
This was a disgusting experience but it did loads of good to me. It forced me into touch with consumer rights, consumer protection law and consumer forums that were there in our system for quite some time. I should say it was the starting point of my journey of awareness.
I filed a complaint with Jaipur district consumer forum remotely by post. Later on, I got a local lawyer of my acquiantance to handle the court hearing. The Opposite Party made my job easier by not responding to court notices and I got the full refund of Rs. 1350 plus Rs. 2000 towards mental agony and legal expenses within 6 months.
And how can I forget to mention that I got the full refund by money-order even before the court decided on my complaint.
It was my first victory as a consumer and tasted very sweet.
After having seen the fort, just before the exit gate there was this handloom showroom bearing the name "Rajasthan Shilp Gramodyog" supposedly a government approved shop. I went around the shop and saw a few things there though I did not have any intention to purchase one. Somehow this silver looking tray-glass set caught my eyes with nice designs drawn over it and I casually enquired about it to one of the salesperson manning the counter. I saw his eyes lit up (there were more than 5 sales persons and I was the sole customer in the showroom) and he started telling me about the item.
"Sir, this is a very nice piece of rare art. You won't find it anywhere else in the world."
I paused for a moment and just for the sake of continuing the discussion, I said, "But what's it made of? Is it durable enough and good to use?"
"Definitely Sir!". He continued further, "It is made of tri-metals - nickle, chromium and silver - and totally non-toxic. You can use it for serving tea, water or any other bewerages."
"How long will it retain its shine?" I asked sarcastically.
"It will remain so forever. We will give you 10 years guarantee and you can get the 75% refund anytime." came the reply with tons of assurance.
"How much's the price?" I asked with the thought that why not to buy this... its a good looking item with cool artistic craft.
"It's only Rs. 1500 and we will give you 10% discount."
"Ok. Let's pack it up." I finally decided to buy it. I paid Rs. 1350 for that and got the stamp of "10 years' 75% refund guarantee" on the bill.
I came back to Delhi and got busy with usual chorus. After around a month or so, while looking at a vacant place in my showcase, I recalled the set of tray and 4 glasses. I immediately got the packet from closet and opened it.
And sure enough... I was stunned!
There were no silver-like glittering tray and glasses. All I had in my lap were dark, rusty, rough metal objects. You can gauge the level of anger and frustration I went through but I had no way out. I was in Delhi, the item was bought from a shop located at hill-top besides city of Jaipur - approx. 300 kms. away from Delhi.
I contacted the shop at the phone no. given on the bill, had to spoke few times with them and finally got the promise of refund. Few months later, I happened to visit Jaipur again and I squeezed half day from my hectic shedule and went to the same shop carrying the garbage in my hand hoping to get the refund.
Alas! All I got was an offer to get the 75% refund. It may not look bad but if you think what the hell should he get Rs. 350 for? For few rusted iron pieces which were not even worth a penny, leave alone my expenses I had to make just to return the item.
This was a disgusting experience but it did loads of good to me. It forced me into touch with consumer rights, consumer protection law and consumer forums that were there in our system for quite some time. I should say it was the starting point of my journey of awareness.
I filed a complaint with Jaipur district consumer forum remotely by post. Later on, I got a local lawyer of my acquiantance to handle the court hearing. The Opposite Party made my job easier by not responding to court notices and I got the full refund of Rs. 1350 plus Rs. 2000 towards mental agony and legal expenses within 6 months.
And how can I forget to mention that I got the full refund by money-order even before the court decided on my complaint.
It was my first victory as a consumer and tasted very sweet.
Car Finance Discount Which Never Was
This incidents dates back to year 2002 when I was in the process of buying my first car. Like any other person, I was obviously happy with the thought of owning a car and not having to bother about rain or sunlight while commuting. And also like any other person, I was looking for the best deal.
As it happened, I noticed few advertisements in the newspaper where car dealers were offering additional discounts on car finance options. I was elated to know that but wanted to be sure if that is the case. So I visited a Maruti car dealer "Allianz" in Delhi's Safderjung Enclave area. I met Citibank executive named Neeraj there and he explained me the scheme that if I get my car financed then I will get some additional discount of approx. rupees 8 to 10 thousand. That guy gave me another surprising statement that if I paid all my EMIs on time then Citibank may waive last EMI. It was like icing on the cake. This was a very lucrative offer for me and I fixed the deal.
But when it came to make initial payment, he insisted on paying first EMI in advance. It seemed a bit odd to me but I agreed to it, perhaps the joy of owning the car prevented me from arguing further.
I got the delivery in next 2-3 days and was living happily ever after until a sudden thought struck me one day after 2-3 years. While discussing the car loan options and procedures with one of the friend, suddenly a thought crossed my mind that my car loan might consist of 35 EMIs instead of standard 36 (for a 3 year loan) and the dealer charged me some amount as first advance EMI. It was invoiced by the dealer not by the financing bank. So effectively there was no additional discount at all.
I rushed back home in the evening and checked my car loan documents. I was dot on the trick though a bit delayed. It was a 35 months loan and then I recalled his statement:
"if I paid all my EMIs on time then Citibank may waive last EMI."
As it happened, I noticed few advertisements in the newspaper where car dealers were offering additional discounts on car finance options. I was elated to know that but wanted to be sure if that is the case. So I visited a Maruti car dealer "Allianz" in Delhi's Safderjung Enclave area. I met Citibank executive named Neeraj there and he explained me the scheme that if I get my car financed then I will get some additional discount of approx. rupees 8 to 10 thousand. That guy gave me another surprising statement that if I paid all my EMIs on time then Citibank may waive last EMI. It was like icing on the cake. This was a very lucrative offer for me and I fixed the deal.
But when it came to make initial payment, he insisted on paying first EMI in advance. It seemed a bit odd to me but I agreed to it, perhaps the joy of owning the car prevented me from arguing further.
I got the delivery in next 2-3 days and was living happily ever after until a sudden thought struck me one day after 2-3 years. While discussing the car loan options and procedures with one of the friend, suddenly a thought crossed my mind that my car loan might consist of 35 EMIs instead of standard 36 (for a 3 year loan) and the dealer charged me some amount as first advance EMI. It was invoiced by the dealer not by the financing bank. So effectively there was no additional discount at all.
I rushed back home in the evening and checked my car loan documents. I was dot on the trick though a bit delayed. It was a 35 months loan and then I recalled his statement:
"if I paid all my EMIs on time then Citibank may waive last EMI."
Saturday, August 18, 2007
1.8 Acres = Jaipuria's 3.5 Acres
Here's another blind stunner from the treasure of gimmicks and cheating by Jaipuria Infrastructure Developers Private Limited (JIDPL). First of all, have a look at advertisement below, which used to appear for over 2 years until June 2006 everywhere in NCR - in all the leading news papers of India and on every hoarding carrying Jaipuria ad.
Each instance of this advertisement had one common highlight or so called punch-line - 3.5 ACRE LANDSCAPED CENTRAL PARK. And why not? For an 18 storied building (though initially it was shown to be 16 storied, but that is another Jaipuria story... I would better reserve that for another blog!) with a rectangular closed layout it was very important to have a large enough space in the middle.
As the work progresses, I realized that we have been cheated here too. The central garden which I was so proud of to have in my would be home, turned out to be less than 2 acres... there was no corner left... I felt like being screwed left, right and center. And all limits were broken when I came across this:
This is GDA approved plan of 12-A, Ahimsa Khand, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, U.P., India, the site of Sunrise Greens by Jaipuria. It does not need one to be a rocket scientist
to find why this broke all hells. The dimensions shown in the plan of LANDSCAPED LAWN are approx. 102m X 101m X 93m X 101m. This area is approx 9850 sq. m. Now take away the area of club and swimming pool besides it (though in plan pool is shown to be within area of the club but actually it is not... another candidate for another blog!) which is approx. 967 sq. m X 2.x as shown in the calculation in the right most column of the plan. It leaves us with around 7500 sq. m of Central Lawn which is equal to around 1.8 Acres... and Jaipuria is calling it 3.5 acres even today... if you still can't believe... go and check at the site office...
Each instance of this advertisement had one common highlight or so called punch-line - 3.5 ACRE LANDSCAPED CENTRAL PARK. And why not? For an 18 storied building (though initially it was shown to be 16 storied, but that is another Jaipuria story... I would better reserve that for another blog!) with a rectangular closed layout it was very important to have a large enough space in the middle.
As the work progresses, I realized that we have been cheated here too. The central garden which I was so proud of to have in my would be home, turned out to be less than 2 acres... there was no corner left... I felt like being screwed left, right and center. And all limits were broken when I came across this:
This is GDA approved plan of 12-A, Ahimsa Khand, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, U.P., India, the site of Sunrise Greens by Jaipuria. It does not need one to be a rocket scientist
to find why this broke all hells. The dimensions shown in the plan of LANDSCAPED LAWN are approx. 102m X 101m X 93m X 101m. This area is approx 9850 sq. m. Now take away the area of club and swimming pool besides it (though in plan pool is shown to be within area of the club but actually it is not... another candidate for another blog!) which is approx. 967 sq. m X 2.x as shown in the calculation in the right most column of the plan. It leaves us with around 7500 sq. m of Central Lawn which is equal to around 1.8 Acres... and Jaipuria is calling it 3.5 acres even today... if you still can't believe... go and check at the site office...
Jaipuria's (fraud) possession letter
Jaipuria has this uncanny knack of surprising even those people who are well versed his tricks and tantrums for years. He threw another surprize to me (and all alottees) in the first week of April but I did not realize this until last week (though I certainly had that unknown fear at the back of my mind all along).
I received this so called "Possession Letter" sometime in first week of April this year.
My first impulsive reaction was that at last my dream is going to come true but as soon as I gathered my senses back I realized that I had visited the site only few weeks back and even the concrete skeleton was still being constructed. How can they offer possession so soon. I decided to have another look at this possession letter. And after that, I could not decide that whether it is "an offer of possession" or just another gimmick.
The very next day I called one of the persons given at the bottom of the letter. I put my concerns and I was politely told that this is an intimation to those who have not paid the additional amount demanded and that I need to do anything about it. I asked for a written reply to same effect and, as always, I was told that they cannot send me written letter or email. This raised my eye brows a bit but then I thought since the building is no where near completion, this letter cannot be an offer of possession.
I noted few points out of this letter which were still hounding me:
1. This letter talks about "initiating the process of handover" but my flat is not even plastered.
2. They have not given any explicit demand in written and only "invitation to talk"
is offered.
3. Why the term "clear all the dues" is used so ambiguously?
I tried to gather information from other sources and talked to Jaipuria people again and again but the ambiguity persisted. Around a month after that I went to that place again and I was aghast at the state and pace of work. Here is what I saw (on May 6th, 2007):
Only 3 (G, H & I) out of 16 blocks were plastered completely... see below:
I still could not believe that the "process of takeover/handover" has been initiated by the builder. Time went by and things got blurred in my mind (I am a person with very short memory). We had few more meetings/demonstrations against Jaipuria in the coming months to hurry up the construction work and give us possession but nothing seemed to work.
Then came the stunner... I saw an email, in this month of August, posted on our group by one of the allottees. It said Jaipuria is refuting the claim of delay-penalty saying that he has already given the possession letters dated 31st March and onus is now on us to deposit the remaining amount and take the possession. I couldn't believe it, so decided to talk to Jaipuria myself. I called them up and asked about delay penalty and I was told that delay penalty upto 31st March will be given to us. I argued that the flats are not ready even today, how can you not give us delay penalty for period till the actual possession is given. But then came the shameless reply - "We have given you letters to begin process of handover on 31st March, now it is up to you to clear your dues and take the possession."
What is that logic? Flats are not ready, still you are asking me to clear my dues (which should have been cleared at the time of possession) and take the possession. You are not giving me apple and still saying that I must eat it!
Folks, this is my painful story. I have now decided to move to Consumer Court to seek justice... but how do you deal with such people? Everybody can't go to court every time... I think prevention is the best way... so friends, Beware Jaipuria!!!
I received this so called "Possession Letter" sometime in first week of April this year.
My first impulsive reaction was that at last my dream is going to come true but as soon as I gathered my senses back I realized that I had visited the site only few weeks back and even the concrete skeleton was still being constructed. How can they offer possession so soon. I decided to have another look at this possession letter. And after that, I could not decide that whether it is "an offer of possession" or just another gimmick.
The very next day I called one of the persons given at the bottom of the letter. I put my concerns and I was politely told that this is an intimation to those who have not paid the additional amount demanded and that I need to do anything about it. I asked for a written reply to same effect and, as always, I was told that they cannot send me written letter or email. This raised my eye brows a bit but then I thought since the building is no where near completion, this letter cannot be an offer of possession.
I noted few points out of this letter which were still hounding me:
1. This letter talks about "initiating the process of handover" but my flat is not even plastered.
2. They have not given any explicit demand in written and only "invitation to talk"
is offered.
3. Why the term "clear all the dues" is used so ambiguously?
I tried to gather information from other sources and talked to Jaipuria people again and again but the ambiguity persisted. Around a month after that I went to that place again and I was aghast at the state and pace of work. Here is what I saw (on May 6th, 2007):
Only 3 (G, H & I) out of 16 blocks were plastered completely... see below:
I still could not believe that the "process of takeover/handover" has been initiated by the builder. Time went by and things got blurred in my mind (I am a person with very short memory). We had few more meetings/demonstrations against Jaipuria in the coming months to hurry up the construction work and give us possession but nothing seemed to work.
Then came the stunner... I saw an email, in this month of August, posted on our group by one of the allottees. It said Jaipuria is refuting the claim of delay-penalty saying that he has already given the possession letters dated 31st March and onus is now on us to deposit the remaining amount and take the possession. I couldn't believe it, so decided to talk to Jaipuria myself. I called them up and asked about delay penalty and I was told that delay penalty upto 31st March will be given to us. I argued that the flats are not ready even today, how can you not give us delay penalty for period till the actual possession is given. But then came the shameless reply - "We have given you letters to begin process of handover on 31st March, now it is up to you to clear your dues and take the possession."
What is that logic? Flats are not ready, still you are asking me to clear my dues (which should have been cleared at the time of possession) and take the possession. You are not giving me apple and still saying that I must eat it!
Folks, this is my painful story. I have now decided to move to Consumer Court to seek justice... but how do you deal with such people? Everybody can't go to court every time... I think prevention is the best way... so friends, Beware Jaipuria!!!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Jaipuria's Misinformation Fraud!
Here is the live example of one of many frauds committed by Jaipuria. Look at the image of Jaipuria marketing campaign material published few weeks ago to unsuspecting prospective flat buyers in Hyderabad and Agra.
This poster clearly says that Indirapuram Sunrise Greens and Indirapuram Sunrise Plaza projects have been COMPLETED. Now take a look at image below which was clicked last week. This is the current state of both the projects mentioned above.
This is just one example of Jaipuria Fraud. I will expose more such frauds committed by Jaipuria... with evidence! Keep watching this space...
This poster clearly says that Indirapuram Sunrise Greens and Indirapuram Sunrise Plaza projects have been COMPLETED. Now take a look at image below which was clicked last week. This is the current state of both the projects mentioned above.
This is just one example of Jaipuria Fraud. I will expose more such frauds committed by Jaipuria... with evidence! Keep watching this space...
Monday, December 04, 2006
Jaipuria's 30 Crore Fraud!
It was a bright winter noon in November 2004 when I was in elated mood and celebrating the happiest moments of my life. And why should I not have been? After all I had just booked a 3 BR flat with Jaipurias in Indirapuram, the neighborhood suburb of New Delhi.
So what if it was barely affordable for me? It was more than compensated by the fact that Jaipuria's was a well-reputed group with over a hundred years of experience and it had belief in long-term partnerships and a diligent devotion to quality. I was trying to overcome my own fear by explaining myself repeatedly that Jaipuria is widely regarded for its rich values, integrity and sound business ethics.
The very next month I got my home loan sanctioned and went to Jaipuria office to make the final payment. I was treated very well by staff and when everything was done and all payments were made, I was given a printed booklet of few pages and told to complete the formalities. It didn't take more than a minute for I just had to write my autographs on those printed papers.
The time went by and I sincerely waited for December 2006 when I was to get possession of my flat. In the meantime I used to go to the site every few weeks and put up some queries across Jaipuria staff regarding possession. I never got a discouraging response and my belief further strengthened in Jaipurias.
I used to think why people are so negative about the builders... they should look at Jaipurias... they are so professional and well managed... they are so sensitive to their customers...
You ask them what if the possession get delayed? "No problem sir! We shall pay you the penalty as per the agreement" used to be the pet and very much comforting reply.
Then suddenly one day in October 2006, few months before the possession, I received this dreaded letter from Jaipuria Developers. It was a plain demand letter asking me to cough up over 2.75 lacs of rupees for increased super area, external electrification, gas pipe line, fire sighting system and security system. I was shocked and unable to utter a word... my blood pressure abruptly went up... and I just couldn't understand anything.
It took me few hours and a long chat with my colleague, who had also received such a letter, to get hold of things. After all paying this huge sum was not at all easy for me having stretched all my financial limits at the time of booking the flat.
In the evening, I took out my allotment letter from drawer and read the agreement in full. To my surprise, it had so many things contradictory to what I was told at the time of booking. Moreover, every word of the agreement seemed to be telling me... Why did you believe these crooks? Why? Why did you not read this before signing? I had got the idea of things to come... but there was a hope against hope... I went to Jaipurias office the next day and reminded them of all promises made to me on the floor of this same office but the staff behaved very strangely as if I was a bagger and wasting their valuable time by talking to them...
I pleaded them to at least justify their demands as per agreement. They promised me, with no hesitation, a detail break up within a week... I held up myself there and returned... One week went by... I was in their office again but it was same story... I didn't give up and Jaipuria staff keep promising me... But even a month later, all I got from them was the promises...
AND as if this was not enough... there was a stunner yet to come... I happened to see the flat built just above the "Sample Flat". It was carrying the rust-red pipes through the bedrooms and all over living room... On further querying I was told that this is the "state-of-the-art" fire fighting sprinklers (see picture) they are going to put in our flats...
I am broken all around... all my dreams seems to have shattered... and now I have nowhere to go... All my money is with Jaipurias... a large portion of my monthly salary goes to pay EMI of loan I had taken... and I still have to keep paying the rent....
So what if it was barely affordable for me? It was more than compensated by the fact that Jaipuria's was a well-reputed group with over a hundred years of experience and it had belief in long-term partnerships and a diligent devotion to quality. I was trying to overcome my own fear by explaining myself repeatedly that Jaipuria is widely regarded for its rich values, integrity and sound business ethics.
The very next month I got my home loan sanctioned and went to Jaipuria office to make the final payment. I was treated very well by staff and when everything was done and all payments were made, I was given a printed booklet of few pages and told to complete the formalities. It didn't take more than a minute for I just had to write my autographs on those printed papers.
The time went by and I sincerely waited for December 2006 when I was to get possession of my flat. In the meantime I used to go to the site every few weeks and put up some queries across Jaipuria staff regarding possession. I never got a discouraging response and my belief further strengthened in Jaipurias.
I used to think why people are so negative about the builders... they should look at Jaipurias... they are so professional and well managed... they are so sensitive to their customers...
You ask them what if the possession get delayed? "No problem sir! We shall pay you the penalty as per the agreement" used to be the pet and very much comforting reply.
Then suddenly one day in October 2006, few months before the possession, I received this dreaded letter from Jaipuria Developers. It was a plain demand letter asking me to cough up over 2.75 lacs of rupees for increased super area, external electrification, gas pipe line, fire sighting system and security system. I was shocked and unable to utter a word... my blood pressure abruptly went up... and I just couldn't understand anything.
It took me few hours and a long chat with my colleague, who had also received such a letter, to get hold of things. After all paying this huge sum was not at all easy for me having stretched all my financial limits at the time of booking the flat.
In the evening, I took out my allotment letter from drawer and read the agreement in full. To my surprise, it had so many things contradictory to what I was told at the time of booking. Moreover, every word of the agreement seemed to be telling me... Why did you believe these crooks? Why? Why did you not read this before signing? I had got the idea of things to come... but there was a hope against hope... I went to Jaipurias office the next day and reminded them of all promises made to me on the floor of this same office but the staff behaved very strangely as if I was a bagger and wasting their valuable time by talking to them...
I pleaded them to at least justify their demands as per agreement. They promised me, with no hesitation, a detail break up within a week... I held up myself there and returned... One week went by... I was in their office again but it was same story... I didn't give up and Jaipuria staff keep promising me... But even a month later, all I got from them was the promises...
AND as if this was not enough... there was a stunner yet to come... I happened to see the flat built just above the "Sample Flat". It was carrying the rust-red pipes through the bedrooms and all over living room... On further querying I was told that this is the "state-of-the-art" fire fighting sprinklers (see picture) they are going to put in our flats...
I am broken all around... all my dreams seems to have shattered... and now I have nowhere to go... All my money is with Jaipurias... a large portion of my monthly salary goes to pay EMI of loan I had taken... and I still have to keep paying the rent....
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Indian IT Industry - Beware of communist conspiracy!
Of late there is a talk in the air seeking rights to stike and form labour unions by IT workers. No prizes for guessing that it is a brainchild of Indian communists who are trying desperately to get foothold amidst Indian urban middle class. While on surface, there looks nothing wrong with the demand and in fact many would come out in support of this demand, there are far reaching consequences of bringing IT industry within ambit of a labour union. But before going into those details, let us first examine, is it really needed to form a union in IT industry as demanded by leftists ?
Broadly speaking, a worker's union is required to protect rights of workers from all powerful ownership and management. It forms a platform for collective bargaining by common workers in any industrial setup.
As far as IT industry is concerned, it is very hard to imagine that workers can be exploited, given the accute shortage of skilled workforce, inherent dependency on intellect of the person in place and higher level of awareness because of high educational profile. A very high attrition rate in the industry, where job switch is almost always at the behest of the worker, is a strong enough evidence to substantiate the fact that it is usually the employer who is at the receiving end. If we get into details there are a number of such parameters, each of which will only support the claim that in this industry, the upper hand lies with the common worker. Hence, as far as exploitation of workers is concerned, ownership and management are inherently not powerful enough to exploit an IT worker. This eliminates the need for a right to strike or that of union to collectively bargain.
There are doubts likely to be raised by some stubborns. What if the situation changes tomorrow? What if shortage of manpower is overcome? What if industry goes in slump and retrenchments become order of the day?
Ha! Ha! But would forming union really solve any of these problems? No. It cannot. It cannot change the economics of any business, not without the cost of natural freedom, and financials of the nation. Infact in the name of solving these "would-be" problems, it will introduce so many deficiencies in the present system that industry would anyway doom to crests. And solution to an imaginary problem would detroy the subject itself.
The usual inefficiency associated with industries in comminists bations will creep in into IT industry as well. Deadlines and performance appraisals will no more be acceptable, and who knows, they might form a basis of strikes by unions. Experience only will be the sole criterion. There won't be something like performance-based variable incentives. And eventually when productivity would decrease but salaries would stay intact (decrements would again mean strikes!), the setup would become bankrupt... and finally close down! Even before this happens the industry would be dried of customers, who only seek output.
Then why is this demand of right to strike and form union still around? Are they not aware of this ground reality? Or they have some political motives? None of these feels so bad but what scares me is likelihood of so called ideological objectives to bring in equality in the society. I hope somebody tells them that IT industry cannot be handled in the traditional ways they are used to and that they should please keep off their politics and ideology from IT industry.
Broadly speaking, a worker's union is required to protect rights of workers from all powerful ownership and management. It forms a platform for collective bargaining by common workers in any industrial setup.
As far as IT industry is concerned, it is very hard to imagine that workers can be exploited, given the accute shortage of skilled workforce, inherent dependency on intellect of the person in place and higher level of awareness because of high educational profile. A very high attrition rate in the industry, where job switch is almost always at the behest of the worker, is a strong enough evidence to substantiate the fact that it is usually the employer who is at the receiving end. If we get into details there are a number of such parameters, each of which will only support the claim that in this industry, the upper hand lies with the common worker. Hence, as far as exploitation of workers is concerned, ownership and management are inherently not powerful enough to exploit an IT worker. This eliminates the need for a right to strike or that of union to collectively bargain.
There are doubts likely to be raised by some stubborns. What if the situation changes tomorrow? What if shortage of manpower is overcome? What if industry goes in slump and retrenchments become order of the day?
Ha! Ha! But would forming union really solve any of these problems? No. It cannot. It cannot change the economics of any business, not without the cost of natural freedom, and financials of the nation. Infact in the name of solving these "would-be" problems, it will introduce so many deficiencies in the present system that industry would anyway doom to crests. And solution to an imaginary problem would detroy the subject itself.
The usual inefficiency associated with industries in comminists bations will creep in into IT industry as well. Deadlines and performance appraisals will no more be acceptable, and who knows, they might form a basis of strikes by unions. Experience only will be the sole criterion. There won't be something like performance-based variable incentives. And eventually when productivity would decrease but salaries would stay intact (decrements would again mean strikes!), the setup would become bankrupt... and finally close down! Even before this happens the industry would be dried of customers, who only seek output.
Then why is this demand of right to strike and form union still around? Are they not aware of this ground reality? Or they have some political motives? None of these feels so bad but what scares me is likelihood of so called ideological objectives to bring in equality in the society. I hope somebody tells them that IT industry cannot be handled in the traditional ways they are used to and that they should please keep off their politics and ideology from IT industry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
