A Trip to the Corporation !

Everytime I hear about having to go to one of those government offices to get anything done, I automatically seem to start getting anxiety attacks and today was no different. After reviewing some of the house paperworks, I noticed that the annual property tax was due and we actually missed the deadline for one of the payments. Anyway after checking further I think I was over excited about being able to pay this online and not having to go to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation office. Needless to say my excitement didn't last that long since the online payment service was down and has been down for a few days now.

After checking, mom decided it would be a good time to show me the office and get me familiar with the process. So even though we never received the bill, its not something one can complain about, due to the stupidity of the postal service who happened to deliver the bill to a different address, I was able to get the amount due online.

Next stop to the bank since the corporation does not accept cash over a certain amount, we had to get a bank draft. The State Bank office in Beliaghata is a mess and out of the 20 people working in there, only two of they were actually functional. One manager did not even know how to turn on his computer and told me that their internal system was down. Must be something he memorized from the support team. Anyway this is meant to be one of the largest banks in India and after seeing the mess of an office and the status of the employees, I expected the worst at the corporation office.

Corporation office which is located in Phulbagan, right on the third floor of VIP market which is another story and I will discuss down the road, I was actually overly surprised upon walking in. Everyone working, the office had structure, clean, AC and marble and granite counters with modern technology. The people in this corporation office are extremely helpful, very attentive and very organized. Everything was done within minutes.

Mom was surprised too when they informed us we could pay the water bill there too instead of having to go to another office like they usually do. Cost of water since 2003 January to date = Rs. 325 which comes to a little less than $8. I guess we are set for quite a while and still no clue why the bill wasnt paid since 03 and no one even cared to ask.....

Overall a semi good day.