On the occasion of Durga Puja, the interim government has allowed the export of 3,000 tons of hilsa from Bangladesh.
The Ministry of Commerce approved this export on Saturday (September 21).
According to the notification sent by the Ministry of Commerce, on the occasion of the upcoming Durga Puja, the export of 3 thousand metric tons of hilsa has been approved subject to the fulfillment of the prescribed conditions in view of the application of various exporters.
The concerned applicants are requested to apply with necessary documents to the Ministry of Commerce (Deputy Secretary, Export-2 Branch, Room No. 127, Building No. 3, Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh Secretariat) by 12 noon on October 2.
However, applications received after the mentioned deadline will not be accepted. Besides, those who have already applied do not need to apply again, the Ministry of Commerce has also said.
Hilsa gifts are sent from Bangladesh to India every year during Durga Puja. However, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar said that no hilsa will go to India this time during the exchange of greetings with Fisheries and Livestock Journalists Forum (FLJF) at the secretariat on September 3, she said that after meeting the needs of the people of the country, Hilsa will be exported abroad. The people of the country will not get hilsa, and it will be exported, that cannot happen. As a result, I have asked the Ministry of Commerce to ensure that no hilsa goes to India even during Durga Puja.
At this time, the Adviser also promised to bring the price of hilsa within reach.
Even in full season, the price of hilsa is very high from wholesale to retail market in Cox's Bazar. That's why low income people are not able to afford hilsa in their food items.
On Saturday (September 21) at noon in Cox's Bazar's big market, Baharchhara Bazar, Kanaiya Bazar, one and a half kg hilsa is being sold at Tk. 2300 per kg, 1 kg hilsa at Tk. 1800 and 700/900 grams of hilsa is being sold at Tk. 1500. Ordinary buyers have expressed dissatisfaction with such prices of hilsa.
Although the sea has not been able to catch fish for the past few days, many trawlers have gone to the sea to fish as the weather conditions have started to normalize. Many trawlers again gathered fish from the sea at the fishing ghat. But hilsa has been caught very less. That is why the price of hilsa is very high in the wholesale market.
Barta24.com reporter talked to Abdur Rashid Baddar, the owner of Maer Doa Trawler at Cox's Bazar Fish Landing Centre. A few trawlers arrived today, he said. The price skyrocketed due to the scarcity of hilsa. 100 hilsa is being sold from Tk. 1 lakh 50 thousand to Tk. 1 lakh 70 thousand above wholesale kg. Those below are being sold for Tk. 120,000 to Tk. 140,000.
Businessman Mohammad Alam said that there are very few fish in Fisherighat. So the price is high. Businessmen are also in a lot of trouble. People are not buying fish at high prices. We can't buy either.
Rahul Mahajan, a resident of Goldighir area of the town, said that the price of hilsa is sky high. It is much better to eat meat than to eat hilsa at such a price. Middle class people like us will not have hilsa on their foreheads. I want to buy hilsa for the past few days but I can't buy it.
Rahimuddin, a resident of Samitipara, said that he is not eating hilsa because the price is out of reach. Although thousands of hilsa are caught in Cox's Bazar, we do not get hilsa. How to buy hilsa with such a price!
GM Rabbani, Manager of Cox's Bazar Fish Landing and Wholesale Fish Market, told Barta24.com that the supply of fish at the fish landing center is very low. Fishermen could not go to the sea due to hostile weather. After the weather conditions became normal, the trawlers went to the sea to fish but the trawlers have not returned with the fish yet. Fish may be seen by the middle of this week.
Meanwhile, the government has approved the export of 3000 tons of hilsa to India on the occasion of upcoming Durga Puja. Due to this reason, the price of hilsa may increase further.
AF Hasan Arif, Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives of the Interim Government commented that the incidents of hill violence are fueled by foreign forces and the fallen autocratic government.
He said these things to reporters after exchanging views with various local political parties, leaders of regional parties and security forces in Rangamati Army Region on Saturday (September 21).
He said, everyone said in the meeting that we want harmony. But I don't know where the rhythm is falling. Everyone has uttered a sentence about rhythm; that is a conspiracy. There is a conspiracy from outside to destroy our harmony.
Hasan Arif said that a strong investigation committee is being formed to find out who is behind it. They will be suppressed during the week.
Earlier, at 12:30 p.m., Local Government Adviser led by the Home Affairs Adviser, the Hill Ministry Adviser, the IGP of police, the Chief of two intelligence agencies, the Chief of security forces including the Chattogram GOC of the army attended the Rangamati army region marginal auditorium.
Later, heads of various government offices of Rangamati, leaders of BNP-Jamaat and JSS, various political leaders including Chakma Circle Chief, representatives of anti-discrimination student movement, president of Rangamati Press Club, general secretary and local public representatives, business leaders exchanged views on the situation.
In New York, during the United Nations General Assembly session, meeting between the Chief Adviser of the interim government Dr. Muhammad Yunus and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is confirmed. However, there is no 'opportunity to meet the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, said the Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain.
He said this at a press conference on the visit of the Chief Adviser to the United Nations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday (September 21) at noon
The Foreign Adviser said that the chief adviser of the interim government is going to New York on Monday (September 23) to attend the session of the United Nations General Assembly. He will address the 79th session of the General Assembly on September 27.
He said, like in recent years, a delegation of more than a hundred members from Bangladesh will not visit New York on a chartered plane. Rather, delegations have been formed as limited as possible according to their respective affiliations or responsibilities. I will fly to New York two days earlier on a different flight to attend high-level meetings consistent with my responsibilities. The chief adviser will stay in New York for three days and leave for Bangladesh on September 27 after the visit.
The foreign adviser said, the chief adviser will hold a high-level meeting with the Netherlands, Pakistan, Nepal, the head of the European Commission, the US secretary of state. However, there is no possibility of discussion with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Tauhid Hossain said that Bangladesh will call on the international community to play their role strongly in the Rohingya issue at the UN session.
The foreign adviser also said that Bangladesh's commitment to reform and human rights issues will be expressed.
He also said that tension with India cannot be denied. There will be discussions to overcome those tensions. I will meet Foreign Minister Jaishankar.
The Law Adviser of the interim government Dr. Asif Nazrul said that more transparency will be brought in the appointment of judges in the High Court. He said that the culture of harassing people using the judiciary should come out.
He said that during the fascist government of Sheikh Hasina, many injustices were done by the judiciary. It should be ensured that there is no more injustice from the judiciary.
Asif Nazrul said these things during the Chief Justice's speech at the Supreme Court on Saturday (September 21).
Addressing the judges, the Law Adviser said, if there is a judge in the judiciary, who takes swords as gifts from people, flowers from student organizations, ask the Home Ministry to take away fundamental rights. This is not good for the judiciary.
Urging the judges not to have a partisan attitude, he said, speak with your conscience, do not do injustice to anyone. Those who are in the lower court, you should keep people free from harassment as much as possible.
Asif Nazrul commented that the attack on the judicial candidates is not acceptable and said that the judiciary should be the most responsible institution.
This Adviser said that initiatives have been taken to reform the judiciary, and the Commission has already been formed. We want to establish real justice. We want to get out of harassing people by filing cases.
He also said that poor countries will have the most public transport. Now those who are getting private cars, I don't support that. I didn't want a car myself. I was forced to ride in the car for safety reasons.