Bird flu: MPHC steps in as poultry business takes body blow

Jabalpur, Mar 1 (UNI) In response to the avian influenza menace, the Madhya Pradesh High Court today directed the state government to form a technical committee comprising four poultry experts.

Acting on a public interest litigation, Chief Justice Anang Kumar Pattnaik and Justice Ajit Singh heard the statement of intervenor Nagrik Upbhokta Margdarshak Manch Chairman P G Najpande.

The next date of hearing was fixed as March 13 on which the committee would present its report.

''Blood samples of poultry from farms along this state's borders must be analysed,'' said Dr Najpande.

Meanwhile, National Eggs Coordination Committee Vice-Chairman Vishwanath Dubey told mediapersons here that poultry products suffered heavy losses after confirmation of bird flu in Maharashtra's Nandurbar district.

''Chicken, which sells at Rs 36 per kg, is going for Rs 16 while an eggs are being sold for 83 paise each,'' he explained.

UNI Team-AC LR PM2220