Rats once again ruled proceedings in the North Delhi civic body on Wednesday.
Light fixtures have been stolen and large rats are roaming the 150-year-old Town Hall building in Chandni Chowk, officials told the North Delhi Municipal Corporation’s Standing committee.
On July 23, Congress councillors in the committee had raised the issue of ghoos (bandicoots) at the heritage structure. A week later, the state of neglect at the Town Hall was still the topic of discussion.
Officials said the corporation was preparing an estimate for the whitewash and repair of the building, but were at a loss when asked how they will deal with the rats.
When asked why the Engineering Department had not maintained the building, an official said: “The rats roam the lawns outside the building, so they are the Horticulture Department’s responsibility.”
A Horticulture Department official responded, with a straight face, “We have only recently been apprised of the development. We will take action.”
Seeing smiles all round and the proceedings turning into a joke, Standing Committee chairperson Mohan Bharadwaj ordered the officials to deal with the rats.
“There is no need to take months to prepare a tender or appoint a consultant. Just buy some poison. It takes only Rs.20,” Mr. Bharadwaj added.
Tongue firmly in cheek, he added: “Do it before [Union Minister for Women and Child Welfare and animal rights activist] Maneka ji [Gandhi] finds out.”
