Guwahati, Dec 13: Ban on chicken in Asom has thrown people in a tizzy as fowls have completely disappeared from the market, dimming the choice of food for the predominantly non-vegetarians in the state.
Since late last night, chickens have completely disappeared as not only the people have started avoiding it but the authorities have clamped a ban on it.
More than 2,50,000 eggs have been destroyed in Guwahati city since this morning and chicken-culling is at its peak with more than four lakh chickens culled till noon.
“This is a huge problem. Since a large number of people avoid red meat for health reasons, chicken was a safe bet and our entire menu was based on chicken but now everything is changed. The alternative arrangements are also hard to meet as there is no good replacement for chicken” said Suman Deb Naryan, whose younger brother is getting married today. The price of mutton which used to sell at Rs 180-200 per kg is now selling for Rs 240-270 per kg. Similarly the price of pork and fish has also gone up.
Not less than 600 marriages are on the cards in the next two days as the inauspicious period of December 15-January 14 —considered inauspicious by the Asomiya—will start and people will go for marriage during that time.
The hotel industry is also at the receiving end. The entire fast food industry of Asom is revolving around chicken as Momo and Rolls are staple diet for most of the people. This morning, highly popular ‘Kolkatta Roll’ downed their shutters as chicken is banned for indefinite period.
The veterinary officials are saying that till the middle of February, chicken-eating will remain problematic. Asom Health Minister has already warned of grim situation if the virus is transmitted to human.
All these indications mean Asom will have to be without chicken till March first week.
Similarly the confectionary industry is also hit hard.
“Majority of our cakes are based on eggs but now we have shifted to egg-less cakes as the Christmas-New year and Bihu season are approaching,” said Meera Chouhdury of the popular Bistarn confectionaries.
The authorities have decided to eliminate the entire stock of chicken and ducks in the State, if necessary and the total figure would be not less than 12 lakh as birdflu has been spreading fast to all the districts of the Brahamaputra valley.
Meanwhile fish price have rocketed in the market of Assam registering a hike of around 25 per cent over the past one week. (UNI)
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