Rs.15 Crore Tender For The Care Of 7 Penguins, Congress Directly Attacks Shiv Sena.

Controversy has erupted over the massive cost of caring for penguins at Mumbai's Byculla Zoo. Congress has questioned the decision to issue a tender of Rs 15 crore to take care of 7 penguins for three years. In September 2018, a contract worth Rs 11.5 crore was awarded to look after the penguins for three years. The zoo administrator said the tender has increased by 5-10 percent as the prices of facilities like food have gone up.

BMC is spending more on penguins than hospitals: Congress

Leader of Opposition in BMC Ravi Raja said that BMC is spending more on penguins than on hospitals. Such high maintenance is not appropriate. The BMC should review the costs incurred for care. In 5 years, BMC should have developed capacity for care. Defending the need for penguin care, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar said the issue had been politicized in the past.

He said that penguins had become a unique identity of Mumbai and the main attraction of the zoo. The zoo was closed during the epidemic, but soon people will be fascinated to see it. They will review any unnecessary increase in the tender, but there will be no explanation in the quality of care.

Eight penguins brought in 2016

The penguin paddock is spread over 1,800 square feet. It has a water pool, accommodation area, air handling unit, and cooling system. It was a project of Shiv Sena leader Aditya Thackeray. He is the Tourism Minister in the Government of Maharashtra. In 2016, 8 penguins were brought to Veermata Jijabai Bhosle Park. One of them died.