The ‘ON’ Mafia
I had booked a Suzuki Alto in June 2004 after making the full payment of Rs. 4,24,000.00. It is almost three months now but I have not obtained the delivery. I approached the showroom through whom I booked the car, and they give me all sorts of theories. However, they say that if I want the car soon I should pay Rs. 65,000.00 extra (called ‘ON’). This is sheer blackmail and black marketeering committed under the noses of all concerned.
I am sure there are thousands of victims like me who have made full payment and are waiting for months on end. The manufacturers , in this case Pak Suzuki, receive the full payment and deposit the money in the bank and get a fat interest. If for example 1000 people are affected, the deposit works out to 424 million rupees.
On the other hand these manufacturers deliver cars in bulk to their lackeys who extract ‘ON’ from the public. It is not very difficult to understand that the manufacturers have their ‘cut’ in this as well.
To eliminate this mafia the government should allow import of used cars (of any vintage) as was done in the early nineties and import of cheaper cars from China and other countries. The local manufacturers should deliver the cars within a week failing which interest for the net sum be credited to the customer.
I hope the honourable Prime Minister will look into this matter and adopt corrective measures.