J&K poultry ban costs Punjab Rs 2 cr a day

The trade, which was opened for 24 hours earlier, is now opened only for 14 hours "" from 6 am to 8 pm. Moreover, the curled hen is not allowed entry into J&K.

Earlier, the J&K government had imposed a ban on the import of broiler and chicken on February 20, after bird flu hit the country. However, the ban was partially lifted on March 16, when the state government allowed broiler and chicken to enter J&K, but only from 6 am to 8 pm.

Talking to Business Standard, the president of the Amritsar Poultry Industry Association (APIA) said, "There was no bird flu in Punjab, even then the ban is still continuing, which is hurting the poultry industry of Punjab, especially of Amritsar. The two states (Punjab and Haryana) have suffered huge losses about 600-650 crores because of bird flu. Further, the restrictions have broken the backbone of the poultry industry. At present, they are facing losses about of Rs 1.5-2 crores daily."

Bedi also added, "The weather is too hot and the broiler can't face scorching heat. So, it is not feasible to send broilers and chickens during this time. They can be send at night only, when the weather is cool. The curled hen can sustain heat, but the government has put a ban on its import from Punjab and Haryana."

"Although the agriculture ministry in a letter to the chief secretaries of all states had advised not to ban the entry of poultry products, the chief secretary of J&K government has imposed the ban," Bedi claimed.

He added that the J&K government had put a ban in order to benefit its own poultry farmers. Consumers were also facing the brunt of government decision, as poultry products were being sold at high prices almost double the prices in Punjab he said. In Punjab, it costs Rs 35 per kg, while the customers in J&K shell out Rs 65 for a kg.

He said even their efforts to convince the J&K authorities through political leaders and friends were of no use. Bedi, has also written a letter to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Gulam Nabi Azad, urging him to lift the ban, but nothing has been done as yet.

Another farmer said, "To put pressure on the J&K government, poultry farmers, feed manufacturers and traders of Punjab had put a barrier near Sujanpura (district Gurdaspur), Punjab."