Online Desk:

A legal notice has been served on the government demanding an immediate halt to hilsa exports to India, citing soaring domestic prices, protection of local consumer interests, and allegations of Indian importers re-exporting Bangladeshi hilsa to third countries.

Supreme Court lawyer Md Mahmudul Hasan Mamun sent the notice in public interest today (Tuesday) to the Cabinet Secretary, the Secretaries of the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the Director General of the Department of Fisheries, and the Chairman of the National Revenue Board (NBR).

The notice emphasized that hilsa, Bangladesh’s national fish, is a valuable Geographical Indication (GI) product. Currently, the price of a one-kilogram hilsa in local markets ranges from Tk 2,600 to Tk 3,000, making it largely unaffordable for low and middle-income families.

It alleged that despite local market shortages and steep prices, hilsa was exported to India at significantly lower rates in the past.

Furthermore, the petitioner claimed that certain Indian importers buy hilsa from Bangladesh at cheaper prices and re-export them at higher rates to markets in North America, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East, profiting at Bangladesh’s expense and depriving the country of potential foreign currency earnings.

Citing Article 21(1) of the Constitution, the notice highlighted the state’s duty to protect national resources and public property.

The legal notice urged the authorities to refrain from making any administrative or policy decisions regarding hilsa exports to India within the next seven days. It also called for measures to boost domestic supply to bring prices within public reach and demanded the formulation of a permanent export policy to sell directly to international markets without intermediaries.

Failure to take appropriate steps within the stipulated time will result in a writ petition being filed with the High Court under Article 102 of the Constitution, the notice warned.