No ban on poultry sale in MP: govt

Bhopal, Feb 22 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh government has clarified that no statewide ban was in force on sale of poultry and chicken.

Referring to yesterday's state High Court ruling, Commissioner (Veterinary Services) Rajesh Rajora said that the directive was enforced only on two poultry sellers in Jabalpur until February 24.

''No case of avian influenza has been registered in Madhya Pradesh. I urge people not to heed rumours. My department took precautionary steps after confirmation of bird flu in Maharashtra,'' said Dr Rajora.

Official sources said that the state had about 1.16 crore poultry. Ranikhet, foul pox and escherichia coli were among ailments that normally cause poultry deaths but do not afflict humans.

UNI PKJ-AC PK DS1143