Telangana ministers eat chicken on stage to dispel coronavirus rumours
1 min read 29 Feb 2020, 04:56 PM ISTThe event was conducted by National Egg Coordination Committee, Telangana Poultry Breeders AssociationSocial media is being blamed for the spread of rumours about coronavirus
PremiumThe Indian population has been relatively immune to coronavirus, so far. However, the same can’t be said about many industries in the country. The poultry industry in India has lost a major chunk of its demand because of fears of coronavirus, mainly induced through social media platforms.
To counter misplaced fears and rejuvenate supply, the poultry industry took a unique step. At least three Telangana ministers went on stage to eat chicken and egg dishes to allay the fears that consuming chicken and egg may lead to coronavirus.
The event was conducted by the National Egg Coordination Committee, Telangana Poultry Breeders Association and Telangana Poultry Federation. It was organised at People’s Plaza on Necklace Road in Hyderabad.
Minister for industry, information technology and municipal administration K.T. Rama Rao joined Minister for Health E. Rajender, Minister for Excise Srinivas Goud and Member of Parliament Ranjit Reddy at the event. The organisers had arranged numerous chicken and egg dishes for the participants and ministers.
"Coronavirus and chicken are nowhere connected. Me and my members are eating chicken and eggs every day," said K.T. Rama Rao.
Social media is being blamed for the spread of false rumours about the disease. According to the hosts of the event, the rumour-mongering has led to 30% decline in chicken consumption and a steep price cut as well. The prices ahve declined steeply from ₹80 a kg (live) to ₹40 a kg. The breeders also claimed that that the production cost on its own is ₹75 per kg.
Meanwhile, coronavirus has spread to six new countries. On Friday, the World Health Organisation said that the risk of global impact from the virus was "very high". The death toll, on Saturday, rose to 2,835, while the number of confirmed cases went up to 79,251.
(With agency inputs)
