Simian security

The finance ministry may have gone out of bounds for reporters and other visitors owing to Budget preparations, but there are some guests that often visit the North Block without any gate pass or permission. After a hiatus of some years, monkeys are back in the building, which has become something of a permanent residence for rats, cats and pigeons. Over the last few days, rhesus monkeys have been spotted fearlessly roaming the corridors of North Block in hoards. They certainly ease the job of the Intelligence Bureau personnel in keeping outsiders in abeyance from access to the Budget-making exercise.