Monkey menace in North Block evokes laughter in RS

The Rajya Sabha witnessed lighter moments when, during a serious debate on the destruction of 11,100 files in the Home Ministry, Congress member Rajeev Shukla blamed the simians for mysterious disappearance of files.Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

There was a light moment in Rajya Sabha during a serious discussion on Home Ministry files when Congress member Rajiv Shukla recalled the monkey menace that plagues the corridors of power sometimes resulting in mysterious disappearance of files.

Members burst into laughter when he pointedly mentioned how there was no end to the menace as "a Minister in your government" is dead against any action against the monkeys.

Mr. Shukla said even former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh — who was present in the house — would recall how frightful it was for him as Finance Minister to walk through the corridors of North Block where files were scattered and monkeys would play havoc. It was common practice to fix the blame for any missing files on monkeys and ask the government to initiate measures to protect the files. The situation came to such a pass that

langurs had to be hired to stop the monkey business.