Imphal, August 13: Joint Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture Upama Chawdry who arrived here today along with Joint Secretary of Union Health Ministry Binit Chawdry to take stock of preventive measures taken up by the State Government to contain further spread of Avian Influenza, inspected the poultry farms in Imphal East and West district and was briefed by the poultry farmers, RRT personnel and veterinarians.

Along with the State officials, the Joint Secretary also reviewed the sanitation programme being taken up in the poultry farms of Greater Imphal area in the morning today.

In the evening, the visiting Central official attended a joint meeting with All Manipur Poultry Farmers and Traders' Association at the head office of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department at Sanjenthong here.

After listening to the grievances of the poultry farmers/traders, Upama Chawdry observed that unlike in other parts of the country, the co-operation and support extended by the farmers/traders of Manipur to the State Government in containment of outbreak of Bird flu is commendable.

Having experienced outbreak of Bird flu for the third time in the country, Upama who arrived here to review the control and containment measures being taken up by the State Government, noted that the whole operation would come to nought without the public response.

She explained that giving compensation for the domestic fowls is being followed only in India and nowhere else.

As of now there is no arrangement for hiking the compensation amount as well.

In response to a question on declaring the State free from Bird flu, Upama replied that it may not be done at once since some international protocols have to be followed.

After the meeting with the poultry farmers/traders, the Joint Secretary of the Union Agriculture Ministry met the veterinary doctors and F/As at the State Guest House where she was debriefed on the preventive measures taken up by the State Government to contain further spread or outbreak of Bird flu in the State.

On the other hand, Joint Secretary of Union Health Ministry Binit Chawdry met the medical practitioners involved in the health surveillance exercise as well as officials of the State Health Department to discuss issues related to Bird flu and health of the people.

The two officials are expected to meet Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh tomorrow.