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Tata could have been much, much bigger. But to the extent they could get away with it, they refused to pay bribes to politicians and government employees (they couldn't refuse to pay "any and all" bribes, for they would have been shut down completely if they took that posture).

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yeah. there is a difference between "Speed money" and actual bribes for officials to look the other way when you are doing clearly not legal stuff.

In India it's not even "speed money" that you used to have to pay (don't know how bad it is these days). It's "being allowed to play" money.

well yeah. if you put it that way, i can talk about indirect taxes and corruption is from even smallest of government employees all the way to the top.

we call it "service charges".

the officer has discretion to impose taxes, interest or penalty and on payment of service charges, discretion to look away, not mention the issue for later on.

in case the issue arises, or goes to litigation, service money ensures the officer will say yes its good to any reply you give.

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