The citizens in the State capital are shocked with the outcome of the tests conducted on the chickens in Delhi and NCR recently that proved that the chicken had antibiotics in them.
Such tests have not been conducted in Bhopal or any other parts of the State, but the residents have now started avoiding chicken as the situation in which chickens are reared are also unhealthy. A lab study released by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found antibiotic residues in 40 per cent of chicken samples in Delhi and NCR was published.
Taking the incident seriously, in Bhopal CMHO Bhopal Pankaj Shukla has instructed six drug inspectors to monitor the antibiotic used by the poultry owners of the district. The study said it had evidence of large scale and reckless use of antibiotics by poultry owners, which can also lead to antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains in the chicken itself.
Drug Inspector Tabassum Meretha told that instructions for monitoring the antibiotics used by poultry owners were given by CMHO Bhopal Pankaj Shukla. Replying to the question on the method to check the use and monitor she told that primarily suggestions to veterinary doctors would be given to provide medicine only after prescription and if they are providing they should check the poultry farm and chicken. Secondly, the sources which are providing antibiotics should be identified and warn them of action if they fail to follow rule and regulations.
She was not aware about the stores which are providing these antibiotics without prescription but was ready to take action if such stores are found. Shakeel Khan used to have a poultry farm in the outskirts of city told that he used to bought antibiotic from ‘medical stores’, located near SBI square and other one was located near fire brigade at Fathegarh. The two used to provide information and he never used the services of Veterinary doctor.
The claims of Khan are true as the practice has been prevalent across the sector as the poultry owners with the intent to maximize their profits feed drugs to chicken to prevent diseases and promote growth and there is no mechanism to keep check on the use to antibiotic dosages given to the chicken to prevent diseases and promote growth.
Concerned raised by the officials are not worth until a robust system to monitor and curb the practice of voluntarily antibiotics feeding to chicken is not devised and implemented.
One factor which has to be taken into account is the price of mutton (goat) which has increased significantly making it a premium non-vegetarians items and has made to incline towards second best option chicken which is easily available and affordable but the increased demand has been witnessed with wrong practices by they poultry owner.