"We have adequate stocks, don't we?"
"Yes, we have. I rang up to our supplier. He has confirmed that he also has adequate stocks and that he will deliver the product to us within a week of our placing the order."
"Fine. Increase the selling price slightly. We need to make use of this opportunity to make some windfall profit."
The Accountant hesitated for a while and then said, "Sir! Murugan Stores have been selling lentils at a price two rupees lower per kilogram than ours. If we increase the price now, people may not buy from us."
"How do they manage to sell all items at prices lower than ours? I study all the suppliers and buy from the one who offers the products at the lowest prices" said Saravanan, with annoyance.
The Accountant didn't say anything.
"How is their stock position?"
"I hear that their stocks are at a comfortable level."
"Perhaps, they have procured a large quantity, anticipating a supply crunch. I will complain to the authorities that Murugan Stores have been hoarding essential commodities and get them booked. An anonymous letter will do the job. Officials from Civil Supplies department will visit the shop, inspect the stocks and seal the shop, for the offense of hoarding the stocks. Even if Murugan, the proprietor, manages to get cleared after an enquiry, his reputation will get besmirched and his business will tumble" said Saravanan.
He then went to his room inside the shop. He came out immediately and told the Accountant, "Hey! Don't tell anyone that I was the one who sent the anonymous letter!"
"Will I ever do so, sir?" asked the Accountant, mildly conveying his resentment at his proprietor's doubting his loyalty.
The anonymous letter sent by Saravanan seemed to have had its effect. A few days after he sent that letter, officials arrived at the town and conducted an extensive raid for two days in the the shop and godown of Murugan Stores, Murugan's residence and in a few other locations associated with Murugan.
After two days, the officials left. Their quiet exit gave an impression that they didn't find any irregularities in Murugan's business.
"My efforts have been wasted. How disappointing!" Saravanan told his Accountant, in disgust.
After two weeks. some officials again visited Murugan Stores and inspected the stocks.
"I don't understand, sir. Only a few days back, they checked everything and found that there was no irregularity. They have come again so soon!" the Accountant remarked to Saravanan.
"They might have got some evidence last time. Apparently, they didn't disclose it. They have come again to take Murugan by Surprise and nail him. This time, he is going to be caught, no doubt. My sending an anonymous letter has not been in vain" said Saravanan, feeling excited.
"But, these officials seem to be a different set of people. They are not the ones who came last time."
"Let us wait. We will hear the good news soon" said Saravanan, confidently.
The next day, the officials came to Saravanan's shop.
Saravanan greeted them and asked them, "What is the matter, sirs?"
"We have come to check whether you are selling adulterated products" said one official.
"We have never indulged in such practices. What made you think that we could be doing so?" asked Saravanan, somewhat angrily.
"We received an anonymous complaint that Murugan Stores were hoarding lentils. Our officials inspected their shop and found that they were not hoarding any product. As a follow up, another team has come to check whether any adulterated product is being sold in this town. We completed our search at Murugan Stores. Now, we want to inspect your stocks."
"You can inspect our stocks, sir. We don't sell adulterated products" said Saravanan.
The team began to check the items stocked in the shop.
After sometime, one official told Saravanan, "The lentils you are selling are adulterated."
"Sir! We sell what we receive from our suppliers. We don't mix anything at our end" said Saravanan, upset by the official's claim.
"Even if you don't do any adulteration, buying adulterated goods and selling them is an offense."
"Sir! We buy the product from a particular supplier for the reason that he supplies the product to us at a low price. I have no idea that he has been supplying adulterated goods to me."
"Even if you do it unknowingly, selling adulterated goods is an offense. We are going to seal your shop" said the official.
"Please don't do anything drastic. sir. You may impose a fine and I will pay it. If you seal my shop, my business will be destroyed" implored Saravanan.
"We don't have the power to impose any penalty. We will file a case against you in the court. Only the court can decide whether you are going to be fined or imprisoned. You will be able to resume your business, only if the court says that you can continue your business after paying the fine" said the official.
.jpg)