The Hindu : New Delhi News : Ministries, monkeys and management

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Ministries, monkeys and management

By Aarti Dhar

IN COOL ENVIRON: A monkey enjoying a swim in the fountains of Raisina Hill on a hot afternoon in New Delhi. — Photo: V.V. Krishnan

NEW DELHI, JULY 27. A secretary-level meeting, meant for upkeep of Shastri Bhavan, last week discussed, among other things, a rather curious issue — the monkey menace. The sprawling complex houses several Ministries besides the Press Information Bureau (PIB). Several Ministers also have their offices in the building.

Hiring a `langur'

It was pointed out that a dozen monkeys had ``attacked'' a senior official on a Saturday. Concern was expressed over the increasing activities of monkeys which became more ``playful and naughty'' on Saturdays, Sundays and Government holidays, and someone pointed out that the only way to drive them away was to hire a `langur' (chimpanzee).

It was suggested that all Ministries should contribute to pay for a `langur' as it was the only effective way of driving the monkeys away and had been used by the South and North Blocks and even the Planning Commission.

Then arose the question of why the monkeys were increasing, particularly in the corridors of power? ``Well, if the Government pays peanuts, it gets monkeys,'' a senior bureaucrat is reported to have said. Perhaps, it is time for a new Pay Commission.

Parking lot

Coming to the agenda, it was suggested that a double-storeyed parking lot be built beneath the India Gate lawns to ease the vehicular congestion in the Shastri Bhavan complex, more so on working days, and also without spoiling the environment around the historic monument.

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