‘No need to impose ban on chicken’

Kolkata, March 11 There is no need to impose a ban on the consumption of chicken and eggs, said state Minister for Animal Resources department, Anisur Rehman, on Tuesday.

To prove his point, he munched fried chicken pieces, tikkas and kebabs at a “chicken festival” held in New Market.

“We have received two positive reports from block number II of Jangipur and M J block of Nabagram in Murshidabad. But there is no need to panic and avoid chicken,” said Rehman.

Meanwhile, the health department of Kolkata Municipal Corporation is starting a surveillance programmme in the municipal markets from Wednesday, said Chief Municipal Health officer (CMHO), Dev Daipayan Chattopadhyay.

The decision to conduct a surveillance programme was taken after Chattopadhyay visited the Swastha Bhavan, the headquarters of the state Health department, on Monday evening.

“These vets will keep a track of the markets and ensure that no chicken arrives from affected areas like Murshidabad,” he said.