The Rajya Sabha has issued an advertisement in classified section of daily inviting suggestions on ‘management of monkeys and dogs in MPs’ residential areas in Delhi’. The advertisement read, “The House Committee, Rajya Sabha, which has been entrusted with the mandate to provide accommodation and other amenities to Rajy Sabha members, is studying in detail the management of monkeys and dogs in MPs’ residential areas in Delhi.” It further stated, “The committee solicits views/suggestions in the management of monkeys and dogs from the various stake holders and those possessing expertise in the relevant field.”
It stated, “Those desirous of submitting suggestions may send memoranda within 15 days of publication.” Monkeys’ menace is not new for the lutyens’ zone. last year in November, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) hired 40 monkey handlers to deal with the problem in VVIP area, including the Prime Minister’s residence, Rashtrapati Bhawan, North and South Blocks, Nirman Bhawan; whereas, three monkey-handlers were deployed at the Prime Minister’s house and four at the residence of the Chief Justice of India. Two handlers were deployed at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) office.
The handlers were working in a 12-hour shift with a pay of Rs13,000 per month. In 2014, the NDMC deployed people who were to disguise as langurs to scare away the monkeys from the VVIP zone. They were paid Rs7000-Rs10,000 for their 10-15 days of work in a month. On the similar grounds, South Corporation mayor Subhash Arya had in March 2016, directed civic officials to file a plea in the Supreme Court seeking suggestions on how to deal with monkey menace. In 2007, the Delhi High Court had directed the municipal corporations to catch the monkeys in the city area and release them in the nearby forests.