Fisheries and Livestock Ministry Advisor Farida Akhtar said, it is not under any pressure; rather, approval has been given to send 1,200 tons of hilsa to India due to religious courtesy and request. This is half less than last year. In addition, approval has been given to send 11,000 tons of hilsa to Middle Eastern countries in view of the demands of expatriate Bangladeshis.
The advisor told reporters this after a discussion meeting at the conference room of the Kurigram Deputy Commissioner’s office on Monday afternoon. Earlier, she participated in a discussion meeting with officials of the District Fisheries and Livestock Department, private organizations, women farmers and local NGO organizations.
Stating that hilsa exports have decreased this year compared to last year, Farida Akhtar said, ‘Last year, we exported 3,000 tons of hilsa to India. And this year, approval has been given for export of 1,200 tons. So there is no reason to send hilsa due to any pressure; Rather, we are sending hilsa from a place of religious harmony.’
1,200 tons of hilsa are going to India for Durga Puja, the Ministry of Commerce has allowed export
Regarding the low supply of hilsa in the market, the advisor said that this year, the supply in the market has decreased due to the low production of hilsa due to the killing of jatkas. Compared to the last season, 37 percent less hilsa was caught in July this year and 47 percent less in August. Due to this, the price of hilsa is high in the market. However, initiatives have been taken to sell hilsa at affordable prices in some parts of the country this month.
In response to a question from journalists, Farida Akhtar said, just as there are incentives in agriculture, there are not as many incentives in the fisheries sector. The issue has already been discussed. The interim government has taken various initiatives for public welfare. To make cattle free from LSD (lumpy skin disease), four districts including Sirajganj, Pabna, and Manikganj will be completely vaccinated.
Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Sifat Mehnaz, Civil Surgeon Swapan Kumar Biswas, District Fisheries Officer Moktadir Khan, District Livestock Officer Habibur Rahman, Additional Superintendent of Police Masud Rana and several administration officials were present at the discussion meeting.
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