The Times of India News Service

BELLARY: New academic year implies rush at the tahsildar office and fresh business to `social workers', forms and stamp vendors... and touts.

Between June and July, students `storm' the tahsildar office for obtaining thecaste and the income certificate. The revenue department creates a separate chamber exclusively for the purpose, yet their hands are full.

Form sellers have a field day as the demand for forms is very high. Though vendors are in plenty, there is still a paucity of forms.

Most of them insist that you buy both the form and the Rs 2 stamp from the same vendor. They refuse to sell them `separately'.

Another group are the `social workers'. They will get you the certificate within a day and `fleece' you.

Yet another type are the persons who help the illiterate parents fill up forms. All for a price.

Women are no exception. Getting the tahsildar's signature is a tedious job as each form goes through several channels... village accountant, revenue inspector, and so on. Students avoid them and `seek refuge' in these workers.