Such is the unprecedented fund crunch that security personnel working on a contract basis here have not been paid their salaries since April. Similar is the fate of contract workers maintaining different sections of the sprawling zoo and manning the main entrance.
Officials say their pleas for release of funds to the tune of Rs. 5.34 crores has remained stuck with the Government for several months forcing the zoo functioning into rather `adverse' conditions. "The proposals are getting tossed from one department to another and things are getting worse at the zoo," quips an official.
Monthly expenditure towards feed for the animals is around Rs. 8 lakhs, which is taken care of since it is provided under non-plan.
The zoo, a popular picnic spot, earns more than Rs. 3 crores per annum through gate collection. Senior officials point out that the Government had sanctioned Rs. 6.50 crores for zoos in the State. Part of this was meant for the city zoo.
