PM reviews bird flu situation

At a high-level meeting, chaired by Singh, various rehabilitation packages for poultry farmers were also discussed.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review bird flu situation.

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At the meeting, various rehabilitation packages for poultry farmers in the affected areas of Maharashtra and Gujarat were also discussed.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar briefed the Prime Minister about the cleaning-up operations and indicated that the bird flu has successfully been contained.

They also discussed the blueprint of a rehabilitation package for poultry farmers and industry, sources said.

The cleaning operation after culling of birds at Uchhal taluka of Surat district in Gujarat is almost over, while cleaning and sanitation operation at Navapur of Maharashtra may take a little more time.

Pawar also discussed issues concerning the farm sector.

Till now, no human case of avian influenza has been reported from any where in the country.

The minister also highlighted that the bird flu issue was blown out of proportion, which ultimately turned out to be a localised event.