Mumbai: At a time when the Covid lockdown has caused a financial crunch, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has come under attack by the opposition BJP for its plan to spend Rs 15 crore on penguins. Opposition leader Ravi Raja has questioned the rationale behind the decision. He has also demanded the cancellation of the proposed tender.
However, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar has assured that the cost incurred on the penguins will be settled. She also clarified that the care and security of the animals will not be compromised.
The Penguins were acquired after spending crores of rupees but have now become a point of contention between the ruling and opposition parties. The acquisition has been marred with controversy since the beginning.
Billions spent on penguins
Humboldt penguins were brought to the Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, aka Byculla Zoo, from South Korea in 2017. To accommodate the avians, a special air-conditioned room was set up. A total of Rs 25 crore was spent for the purchase of the penguin and for setting up their special accommodation. The municipality later spent Rs 11 crore on their maintenance for 3 years.
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Now, it is expected to spend another Rs 15 crore on the penguins for the next three years. The amount will be spent on the maintenance and air conditioning facilities of the penguin exhibition, life support and electrical systems, services of veterinary officers and supply of fish, food for the penguins. Special veterinary officers and doctors are appointed for the daily care of the penguins. Special food, special kind of fish and other supplements are given to the penguins every day.
One newborn puppy and one male penguin have died in the last three years.
Opposition demands cancellation of tender
The penguins became a topic of controversy after a newborn pup died in 2018 leading the municipality to blacklist the contractor. Now, after the new proposal to spend Rs 15 on the avians, the issue has again gained traction with both the opposition and ruling party playing the blame game.
"The penguin is the hen that lays golden eggs for the contractor. The tender has been drawn up for the benefit of the contractor," Leader of Opposition Ravi Raja has alleged. He said that the doctors and staff at the zoo have learned how to take care of birds and animals brought from abroad and questioned the need to draw a tender worth Rs 15 crore at a time when the financial situation of the municipality has deteriorated during the COVID19 pandemic period.
Raja has demanded that the tender for the maintenance of the penguins be cancelled.
What is the revised tender?
In 2018, a three-year maintenance contract for the penguins was signed for Rs 11 crore which is now over. According to the new tender, the corporation will spend Rs 15 crore on the 7 penguins for the next 3 years. Rs 5 crore will be spent every year.
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Cost will be settled: Mayor
Reacting to the controversy over the new proposal, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar said that penguins have created a distinct identity for Mumbai and have increased the revenue of the municipality. She assured that if the opposition thinks that a lot is being spent on the penguins, a solution will be found.
"However, there will be no compromise on penguins," Mayor Kishori Pednekar clarified in no uncertain terms.
