From Daijiworld's special correspondent in Panaji

Panaji, Feb 21: Amidst hike in chicken prices, Goa government on Monday said its has an action plan in place to face any eventuality in the wake of bird flu scare.

Goa chief minister Pratapsingh Rane said that the state borders are sealed for poultry and related products from neighbouring states and animal husbandry officials are inspecting all the farms in the state. "We have
taken ample precautions," he said.

Stating that the tourism industry need not panic, the chief Minister said there was no single case of bird flu reported in the state.

He said the sealing of borders would continue for next eight to 10 days till situation normalised.

The state which had 70 poultry farms producing four lakh birds largely depended on Maharashtra and Karnataka for its daily demand of one lakh birds and two lakh eggs, Rane said.

Of the total imports, 70 per cent was from Karnataka while 30 per cent was from Maharashtra, he said.

The state government had also began consultations with major poultry farms in the country and farmers were being told to take precautions, he said.

The state health department had procured 10,000 tablets from Cipla Pharmaceuticals which would be used to treat any symptoms, state Chief Secretary J P singh said.

The state authorities confirmed that there was no cancellation of chartered flights or tourist arrivals after the bird flu scare.

"We are taking adequate precautions and there is absolutely no need to fear," Singh said.