Railway authorities have re-employed a langur at an annual package of Rs 1.41 lakh to save passengers from monkey terror at Lucknow railway station.
The langur known as Pawan has been entrusted with the task of patrolling the railway station and preventing monkeys from harassing the passengers. “Pawan has joined duty,” a railway officials here said.
The authorities employed Pawan earlier as well but his contract ended last month. “The langur has been given an extension for one year. His salary has also been raised by around 10 per cent,” an official said.
Officials said Pawan has been rewarded for good work. The langur had successfully repulsed a combined attack from the monkeys and driven them away, they said.
An official has been deputed to monitor the performance of Pawan. A register has also been kept to record the attendance. For each day, he remains absent, Rs 392 will be deducted from his salary, they said.
Pawan, the officials said, had prior experience in dealing with the monkey menace at different places. He had given his services at several government offices and other railway stations in the past and has a good reputation.
Monkeys had made life difficult not only for the passengers but also for railway officials. Hundreds of monkeys had made the station their home and they used to terrorise passengers and snatch eatables from their hands, and baggage.
The railways had in the past also roped in a youth, who would paint his body like a langur and act like it. The youth had also succeeded in scaring monkeys away, but his services were later terminated.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks