Chicken prices go up by 50% in a day in Okhla after import of live birds banned in Delhi, Ghazipur poultry market closed for 10 days
After ban on import of live birds in Delhi and closure of Ghazipur poultry market were announced for 10 days by the Delhi Government, the price of chicken has gone up by 50 per cent in a day in Okhla.
Residents said a day ago on Saturday they bought chicken for Rs 120 in Abul Fazal Enclave and today on Sunday the same shopkeeper was selling it for Rs 180 per kilogram and the rate varied from shop to shop. But most of the chicken buyers said they found the price increased.
It was on Saturday when Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced a ban on import of live birds in the national Capital and closure of Ghazipur poultry market for the next 10 days in view of bird flu scare.
“In the last few days, there have been several cases of bird flu across various parts of the country, which is a cause of worry. Cases of bird flu have been registered in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. No confirmed case of bird flu has been registered in Delhi until now. We have collected around 104 samples until now, which have been sent to Jalandhar for testing and examination in a laboratory,” the CM said at a Press conference.
He said Delhi is taking several steps to control the spread of bird flu as a precautionary measure.
“Upon receiving the results day after tomorrow, the Delhi Government will take all decisions and measures based on the results. The import of live birds is being completely banned from today onwards. Second, the Ghazipur poultry market in Delhi will remain shut for the next 10 days,” Kejriwal added.
“Rapid response teams have been formed in every district to contain the spread and conduct proper surveillance, and they will function under the district magistrates. Our veterinary officers are conducting proper surveys in all bird markets, wildlife establishments and water bodies across Delhi. The special focus of the teams are poultry market Ghazipur, Shakti Sthal Lake, Bhalswa Lake, Sanjay Lake, Delhi Zoo, DDA Parks, situated at Hauz Khas village, Pashchim Vihar and Dwarka,” Kejriwal added.
The CM said the news of birds dying is also coming from across Delhi, and the rapid response teams of those districts are conducting adequate inspection of the situation.
“A 24×7 helpline – 23890318 – has also been launched,” he added.
