Devote more time to animals than trade union activity: Mamata to zoo staff

Kolkata : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim would monitor day-to-day work of Alipore Zoological Gardens and asked zoo employees to devote more time to the animals instead of trade union activities.

The Chief Minister, speaking at a function at the 138-year-old zoo, said since Forest minister Hiten Burman lived at a distance, Hakim would monitor the day-to-day work at the zoo.

Appealing to the employees, the chief minister said "care of animals should be given priority over trade unionism in the zoo. It is a sin if the animals don't get food and water in time."

Declaring that funds would not be a constraint for the development of the zoo, Banerjee said her government had already promised Rs one crore for its development.

Banerjee urged the employees to make the zoo more attractive. "I want to see that the zoo turns into a beautiful place within six months."