ARMY BUREAUCRACY
The red tape in the army
They say is mighty fine
We’ll beat the civil service
Each and every time.
1. It was a bright summer day. Having moved to a new station, the better half was busy in getting admission for our son in the Army Public School. It took a few trips but finally the job was done. Why should transfer from one APS to another be such a hassle, asked the wife? Ah well, I countered, things are much worse in civvy street. We need to prepare for retirement and this is excellent training.
2. A few days later when school reopened, I was given the relatively easy task of getting a bus pass made for the young lad. “No problems”, I told the better half; “I’ll get it in a jiffy”. A born optimist, I was to learn yet again that optimism can be misplaced. An application form was procured, filled and countersigned by the staff officer of the National Defence College (NDC), indemnity bond filled up, documents stapled together and dispatched via my trusty sahayak to the school bus cell run by the Transport Company ASC Type ‘B’. Off went the modern version of Jeeves to accomplish the designated task. In the evening, a rather dejected Jeeves reported back, task unaccomplished. “Rs 230 is required Saab, as security deposit to get the bus pass”, he informed me. “No problems”, said I, forking out two crisp notes and three tenners, “get the job done tomorrow”.
3. Next evening Jeeves was back, a bit more dejected than the previous day. “What’s happened now”? I queried. Jeeves was a bit annoyed but admirably kept his cool. “A certificate is required Saab, that you are still in service” said Jeeves. It was my turn to curb my annoyance. “Why didn’t you show him the application form, countersigned by the College?” “I did Saab, but he insisted on the certificate. He said they have rules to follow”, said Jeeves rather pointedly.
4. Next morning the certificate was duly prepared attesting my still being in service. Off went Jeeves once again, but there was a distinct lack of enthusiasm in his step. In the evening, Jeeves reported back, a dark frown on his otherwise very jovial face. “What now”? I queried, trying to hide my annoyance from the better half, who was having a quiet smirk at my expense. Jeeves had resigned himself to his fate. “They want a certificate Saab, from the school principal, certifying that your son is studying in their school”. “But dammit”, I said, trying to control my rage, “Why should I get a bus pass made for my son if he is not studying in that school”. Jeeves kept a respectful silence, but I couldn’t help hearing a little suppressed giggle emanating from the corner where the better half was reclining.
5. It took two days to get the certificate from the principal. Phew, I thought, life certainly is tough. Jeeves was dispatched next morning for what I thought would be the last time. His look told it all when he reported back in the evening. By now, I had crossed the limits of rage and was resigned to my fate. “The clerk told me to come on Saturday”, said Jeeves. “That’s when they issue bus passes”!!
The red tape in the army
They say is …..
The red tape in the army
They say is mighty fine
We’ll beat the civil service
Each and every time.
1. It was a bright summer day. Having moved to a new station, the better half was busy in getting admission for our son in the Army Public School. It took a few trips but finally the job was done. Why should transfer from one APS to another be such a hassle, asked the wife? Ah well, I countered, things are much worse in civvy street. We need to prepare for retirement and this is excellent training.
2. A few days later when school reopened, I was given the relatively easy task of getting a bus pass made for the young lad. “No problems”, I told the better half; “I’ll get it in a jiffy”. A born optimist, I was to learn yet again that optimism can be misplaced. An application form was procured, filled and countersigned by the staff officer of the National Defence College (NDC), indemnity bond filled up, documents stapled together and dispatched via my trusty sahayak to the school bus cell run by the Transport Company ASC Type ‘B’. Off went the modern version of Jeeves to accomplish the designated task. In the evening, a rather dejected Jeeves reported back, task unaccomplished. “Rs 230 is required Saab, as security deposit to get the bus pass”, he informed me. “No problems”, said I, forking out two crisp notes and three tenners, “get the job done tomorrow”.
3. Next evening Jeeves was back, a bit more dejected than the previous day. “What’s happened now”? I queried. Jeeves was a bit annoyed but admirably kept his cool. “A certificate is required Saab, that you are still in service” said Jeeves. It was my turn to curb my annoyance. “Why didn’t you show him the application form, countersigned by the College?” “I did Saab, but he insisted on the certificate. He said they have rules to follow”, said Jeeves rather pointedly.
4. Next morning the certificate was duly prepared attesting my still being in service. Off went Jeeves once again, but there was a distinct lack of enthusiasm in his step. In the evening, Jeeves reported back, a dark frown on his otherwise very jovial face. “What now”? I queried, trying to hide my annoyance from the better half, who was having a quiet smirk at my expense. Jeeves had resigned himself to his fate. “They want a certificate Saab, from the school principal, certifying that your son is studying in their school”. “But dammit”, I said, trying to control my rage, “Why should I get a bus pass made for my son if he is not studying in that school”. Jeeves kept a respectful silence, but I couldn’t help hearing a little suppressed giggle emanating from the corner where the better half was reclining.
5. It took two days to get the certificate from the principal. Phew, I thought, life certainly is tough. Jeeves was dispatched next morning for what I thought would be the last time. His look told it all when he reported back in the evening. By now, I had crossed the limits of rage and was resigned to my fate. “The clerk told me to come on Saturday”, said Jeeves. “That’s when they issue bus passes”!!
The red tape in the army
They say is …..
Hilarious and heart breaking...
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