The minister said that in order to control the spread of the disease, about 39.98 lakh chickens have been culled and an extensive programme of disinfection has also been taken up.

In addition, poultry farming has been banned for a period of three months in affected areas.

The minister said that apart from paying compensation for culling of birds, the state government has sanctioned an additional financial assistance of Rs 500 for each of the affected families (about seven lakh).

An alternative livestock farming programme has also been contemplated in the affected areas for the next three months for the rehabilitation of poultry farmers. He announced that an additional amount of about Rs 105 crore would be required for this purpose.

The minister said that recently there has been a fresh outbreak of the disease at a few places, where similar steps have also had to be taken.

“For payment of compensation, additional financial assistance and rehabilitation, the state has already sanctioned Rs 51 crore and a demand has been made to the Centre for 50 per cent sharing of the expenditure of payment of compensation for culling of birds (as admissible under the rules of the central government) and alternative livestock farming programme,” said Dasgupta.