Aman Rai, an IIT Delhi alumnus and entrepreneur who secured a ₹1 crore deal on Shark Tank India for his home gym startup, Aroleap, recently took to social media to reveal his struggles with securing a factory license. Despite India’s push for the “Make in India” initiative, Rai claims he was asked to pay hefty bribes to proceed with his manufacturing facility’s licensing process.
Alleged Bribery Demands
Rai shared his ordeal on X (formerly Twitter), stating he initially approached a vendor for assistance, who demanded ₹70,000 in “out-of-pocket” expenses, a term often used to imply bribes. Determined to handle the process independently, Rai applied directly, only to face a ₹1 lakh bribe demand from officials.
Calling Out the System
Expressing his frustration, Rai criticised the bureaucratic inefficiency and corruption, questioning how entrepreneurs can expect the “ease of doing business” in such circumstances. “Dark side of Make in India! Went and filed for the license directly. Being asked for 1L as a bribe to get the license now!” he wrote in his post, which quickly gained traction, amassing over 4 lakh views.
HAVE A LOOK AT THE POST:
Dark side of Make in India!
Went and filed for the license directly. Being asked for 1L as bribe to get the license now! 🤦🏻♂️ https://t.co/Rm45EGEuRE
— Aman Rai (@amankrai28) January 8, 2025
A Glimmer of Hope
Rai’s viral post caught the attention of a senior commerce ministry official, who reached out to address the issue. Rai later updated followers, saying, “X is powerful. This blew up, a senior official from the commerce ministry reached out to understand the issue. Will likely get resolved quickly.”
Dark side of Make in India!
Went and filed for the license directly. Being asked for 1L as bribe to get the license now! 🤦🏻♂️ https://t.co/Rm45EGEuRE
— Aman Rai (@amankrai28) January 8, 2025
A Systemic Issue
The entrepreneur’s experience resonated with many in the comments section, with users sharing similar accounts of bribery and red tape. Some urged Rai to expose the officials involved, while others highlighted that his high-profile case might get resolved, unlike the struggles faced by thousands of others.
One user, Manish Sharma, revealed he was asked to pay ₹2 lakhs for relocating his factory and is now facing legal proceedings after refusing the bribe. Another commented, “Your issue might get resolved without a bribe. Thousands of others won’t.”
Need for Accountability
Rai’s case has reignited conversations about the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in India and the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability in government processes, especially as India strives to bolster its manufacturing sector under initiatives like “Make in India.”
