Highlights
- Government to send 1,200 tons of hilsa to India for Durga Puja.
- Fisheries Adviser says decision was taken under pressure.
- She emphasizes that Bangladeshis will always get priority in eating hilsa.
- Issues raised about budget shortages in the fisheries sector.
Decision to Send Hilsa to India
Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has said that the interim government is being “forced” to send hilsa to India. This year, a total of 1,200 tons of hilsa will be exported to India on the occasion of Durga Puja.
She made the statement on Saturday (13 September) while attending a meeting with fishermen and journalists at Burir Bandh in Thakurgaon Sadar, organized by the district administration and the Department of Fisheries.
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India’s Request and Government’s Response
The Adviser explained that the decision came after repeated requests from India for hilsa during Durga Puja. She said that both the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs supported the approval.
“এবারও দূর্গাপূজা উপলক্ষে ভারত বারবার ইলিশ পাঠানোর জন্য অনুরোধ করছে। তারই প্রেক্ষিতে বাণিজ্য ও পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রণালয়ের পক্ষ থেকে অনুমতি পত্র চেয়েছেন। সে কারণে ১২’শ মেট্রিক টন ইলিশ পাঠানোর সিদ্ধান্ত হয়েছে। একদিকে দুর্গাপূজা অন্যদিকে তারা আমাদের প্রতিবেশ। সবকিছু মিলিয়ে আমরা ইলিশ মাছ দিতে বাধ্য হয়েছি।”
Translation:
“This time too, India repeatedly requested for hilsa on the occasion of Durga Puja. Based on that, the Ministries of Commerce and Foreign Affairs asked for approval. That is why the decision to send 1,200 metric tons of hilsa was made. On one hand, there is Durga Puja, and on the other, they are our neighbor. Considering everything, we were forced to send hilsa fish.”
Concern About Budget Shortage
Farida Akhter also mentioned serious budget issues in the fisheries sector. She explained that while the actual expenses are much higher, the allocated budget remains lower.
“খরচ হচ্ছে ৩৫ থেকে ৪০ হাজার কিন্তু বরাদ্দ আছে ৩২ হাজার। বাকি টাকা কোথা থেকে আসবে? এই বরাদ্দের সমস্যা উদ্যোগ নেয়া হবে। এ সামান্য দাবি মানতে না পারলে এটা আমাদের জন্য ব্যর্থতা। আমি আগেও বলেছি এখনো বলছি বাংলাদেশের মানুষ আগে ইলিশ খাবে তারপর অন্যরা।”
Translation:
“The cost is 35 to 40 thousand, but the allocation is only 32 thousand. Where will the remaining money come from? Initiatives will be taken to solve this allocation problem. If this small demand is not met, it will be a failure for us. I said before and I am saying it again, Bangladeshis will eat hilsa first, then others.”
Event Participants
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Ishrat Farzana. Other participants included:
- Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber
- Acting Director General of Fisheries Department Dr. Abdur Rauf
- Superintendent of Police Sheikh Zahidul Islam
- District Fisheries Officer Arafat Uddin Ahmed
- UNO Khairul Islam
- Journalists from various national media including Somoy TV, News Bangla, 71 TV, and Dhaka Post.
Source: Dhaka Post
