The Washroom Levy
Dinesh K Kapila
Michael and Christina (it could
be Charles and Catherine ) landed at New Delhi International Airport. They were
groggy from the late night flight from Vienna (it could be Zurich or Hamburg or
Paris) and made their way through the well lit and maintained airport to
immigration. That’s when they got a little surprised. The stamping of the
passport was not an issue. After all they were from Europe, the geographical
entity so valued to Indians to visit as tourists and even more to migrate to. Had
they paid the Washroom Levy, as you are from Europe, the Officer asked politely. Somewhat surprised
they said no. He just nodded them to another counter placed just behind him.
Marked for only European Tourists. They were advised that the stamping of the
passport required a visit to the counter. The official at the second counter informed them
they could have paid in Euros online before leaving Europe but now they could pay
in Euros or Swiss Francs or Rupees. But for what asked the puzzled tired groggy
couple. Well see the flyer, it’s the Washroom Levy, they were informed.
Washroom Levy ? They were
shocked. And annoyed. And their sleep vanished. What’s it about, they and other
residents from Europe, now lining up grumbled. It’s really nothing explained the
polite well mannered official, with a smile. So unlike the frowning faces
greeting Indians at most European Airports. Seeing puzzled faces, the official decided
to give some context. You see we Indians expend precious foreign exchange in
your picturesque nations while holidaying, our Rupee is of so little value, we also
accept it, the reasons may be our own inability to improve economically or your
own developed and thinly status. Further,
to top it, medically, we seem to have weak bladders. And so while visiting your
wonderful countries a small part of the foreign exchange goes in paying 50 cents
to 80 cents to horrors a complete Euro at many cities per visit to a washroom.
And then there is the issue of facing up to coin machines at some places, and
losing some coins in the process. Or drinking coffee or tea just to well, pee,
even if there is a set off on the wash room charges.
We Indians are simple people and lead
simple lives as advised by the Father of our Nation. We decided to have one
single charge for the entire visit. For Europeans. Just to ensure we also earn
some foreign exchange and the debits there sort of equal the credits here. A
one time charge paid on arrival or online before starting and after that it’s
all yours, against the wall, around a tree, or at whatever facilities we do have.
No problems at all. Just a one time charge. And there is a reasoning to the calculation,
we have assumed you would use the washroom, for one purpose or the second
purpose or both (you get the drift) atleast five to six times a day. Now
further assuming a charge of only Rs thirty /- per visit (we will not make
profits) and with a week as the minimum stay, it comes to only 1300/- per
person per week after rounding off. We will issue a receipt also which entitles
you a waiver of charges, if any, at any public facility. It’s all thought out
and well so simple. Kindly pay in cash or by card (credit, debit or forex
travel) and be on your way. Of course it’s
a short visit, it’s only Rs 550/- and that’s it !
But this is a pee tax, complained
the visitors. Not at all, it’s a charge. Just that it’s at source. As a one
time facilitation and to avoid any inconvenience after that such as hunting for
the right coins or currency, while hopping around on one leg to control he urge.
Or borrowing coins at times from strangers. And then look we don’t do the add
on parts, such as fingerprinting you and even collecting all your financial
statements and salary records. Privacy in Europe is a right but here in Delhi most
embassies from Europe and the Visa Facilitation Centres would have such financial
details which maybe we would not share with even family members. So just pay up
please and we can move the line along. And
then enjoy at your hotels the welcome drink and vermillion marks on the forehead
and garlands at the reception counters of hotels and the valet service to boot.
It’s a grand welcome we give you Sir ! And
no, we are not comparing with anyplace else !
Meanwhile at another counter passengers
from Hongkong were grumbling about being asked why they were here on a visit.
Forgetting that at their own airport Indians at times had been asked to step
aside for a screening of their eyes or something to that effect. Or even how
some Indians had been advised to step aside, even those travelling with their
family and with confirmed hotel bookings and advised to establish their
credentials. Just simple polite routine
queries seemed to put them off. But that’s an aside.
Meanwhile while back in Europe
the Washroom Levy made headlines and was discussed avidly, in India most
citizens just shrugged their shoulders. After all they themselves were so used
to surcharges and levies in varied forms, they wondered what was all the fuss
about in Europe.
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