Three zoo employees suspended for ticketing fraud

Three employees of the National Zoological Park have been suspended in connection with a ticketing fraud. Nivedita Khandekar reports.

Three employees of the National Zoological Park have been suspended in connection with a ticketing fraud.

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These people were involved in what can be described as “recycling of sold tickets”. They collected tickets from the visitors at the entrance and retained those instead of tearing and handing back the remaining portions. Such tickets were then sent back to the ticket window for sale again.

Incidentally, the ticket rates were doubled since October 1, 2010. As per the new rates, adults have to pay R20 per person and children R10 per head, while foreign nationals have to pay R100 per person.

The “recycling” thus has led to substantial revenue loss for the zoo administration. The quantum of the loss is yet to be ascertained. Zoo director AK Agnihotri said, “We have suspended three persons in connection with the ‘recycling of ticket’ frauds.” A probe has been initiated into the matter.