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Delhi Zoo staff threatens stir

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

Proposal to declare the zoological park an autonomous body or registered society

NEW DELHI: While the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences is fighting to maintain its autonomous status, the National Zoological Park (NZP) here is resisting the loss of its "run-by-the-Central Government" tag.

The NZP employees are threatening to go on an indefinite hunger strike if the Environment and Forests Ministry decides to go ahead with the latest proposal to declare the NZP an autonomous body or registered society.

"So far we have been protesting by wearing black bands and without disrupting the functioning of the zoo, but we will resort to an indefinite hunger strike in case the Government does not immediately look into the matter,'' said NZP employees' union member Nand Singh Rana.

What the employees are protesting against is the new approved proposal submitted by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) that will convert the NZP into an autonomous organisation under the administrative control of the Union Environment and Forests Ministry to be governed by a 10-member governing body headed by Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Under the order, the NZP will be converted into Centre for Zoo Sciences and will have to generate its own funds and manage the incurring expenditure.

What has zoo employees are up in arms against is the fact that under this latest order, they will have to choose between either continuing in government service or join as employees of the society.

"In the first instance employees will be treated as on deputation to the society and their leave, salary, pension contribution and other benefits will be borne by the society. Those who opt to be employees of the society and all new recruits will be dealt with the established rules of the society and autonomous body,'' states the order.

Said Mr. Rana: "This order would adversely affect our job security and accommodation facility. The zoo currently has an expenditure of Rs. 5 crores per annum and revenue of Rs. 2 crores per annum, therefore it cannot stand on its own income. Also, nearly 200 employees in the zoos would face severe downsizing, compromising on the maintenance of the animals and the zoo itself. The order also notes that government residential accommodation would be available only for five years with the society rule of house rent allowance to be followed later.''

Said sources: "There is an urgent need to review and reconsider the proposal. Existing autonomous bodies under the Ministry of Environment and Forests including Wildlife Institute of India, Central Zoo Authority and Zoological Survey of India have not managed to record any significant improvement in their working.''

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