Staff Reporter:

Recently, the Department of Fisheries granted permission to import Hilsa from India, as domestic supply has seen an unexpected decline as well as exorbitant prices has driven the consumers astray.

However, the Acting Director General of the Department of Fisheries, Dr. Md. Khaled Kanak is facing disciplinary action as the import approval was issued without informing the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock sources cite that over 350,000 kilograms of Hilsa were imported through the Benapole land port over two months. As Bangladesh is one of the world’s leading Hilsa producing nations, importing Hilsa from India has raised serious concerns within the Ministry.

Hilsa import from India’s Gujarat without notifying the Ministry is currently under investigation, as Indian Hilsa fishes are generally considered as bland tasted and odorless. Meanwhile, amid import from India, Indian fish traders have formally submitted applications requesting Hilsa from Bangladesh.

Historically, India imports Hilsa from Bangladesh; however, allowing imports in the opposite direction was an unprecedented departure from norm.

Questions have been raised regarding whose pressure, persuasion, or interests prompted the Department of Fisheries to take such an action. Following initiatives by the Ministry and its Secretary, imports have already been halted.

Sources from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock stated that on Sunday, the Fisheries-1 branch of the Ministry issued a show-cause notice to the Acting Director General, Dr. Md. Khaled Kanak, regarding the import permission. He has been given three days to respond.

Regarding the notice, Dr. Md. Khaled Kanak stated that he received a notice from the Ministry, describing it as an administrative matter that will be responded to through proper administrative channels.

According to data from the National Board of Revenue (NBR), 22 companies imported 352,786 kilograms of Hilsa through the Benapole land port during July and August of the current fiscal year. The import value of this Hilsa stands at approximately Tk 69,295,000.

All of these imported Hilsa originated from the Bharuch area of Gujarat, India.