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Our Correspondent in Bombay
The powder found in an envelope sent to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal has tested negative for anthrax, Dr Subhash Salunke, director general of health services, said on Monday.
Salunke said the Defence Research and Development Organisation tested samples of the powder and found it did not contain anthrax spores.
The powder was sent to Gwalior lab of DRDO on November 3, after contradictory medical reports were submitted by Thane's Molecular Diagnostic and Research Centre, and Bombay's Haffkine Institute.
While the Thane Centre said its samples had tested positive for anthrax spores, the Haffkine Institute submitted a report stating the opposite.
It was then the Maharashtra government decided to send samples of the powder for testing to DRDO.
Speaking to reporters, Salunke said, "I had called the DRDO department at Gwalior, and they told me that it tested negative."
Salunke also said Maharashtra government health officials would receive the medical report in two days.
Meanwhile, a letter containing white powder sent to actress Urmila Matondkar also tested negative for anthrax.
The letter was sent to Haffkine Institute for testing.
Speaking to rediff.com, Assistant Director of Haffkin Institute Dr Gadre said, "There was not even white powder in the letter; it was only a simple greeting card."
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