TDS Desk:

Ministry of Commerce has allowed the export of hilsa upon the special request of India on the occasion of Durga Puja, said Farida Akhtar, Advisor to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

She said this in response to questions from journalists at a meeting at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock at the secretariat on Sunday.

“The Ministry of Commerce has willingliy given it (export approval), the adviser said. They gave this approval in view of a request. India had a special request on the occasion of Durga Puja and the ministry did the approval accordingly.”

An interim government took power after Sheikh Hasina’s government fell in the first week of last month amid unprecedented protests and violence. After that, relations with India became somewhat strained. In the meantime, Farida Akhtar, adviser on fisheries and livestock, announced the ban on the export of Hilsa to the neighboring country ahead of Puja.

But after a month and a half, the interim government of Muhammad Yunus withdrew that decision. Ministry of Commerce has approved the export of hilsa fish to India on the occasion of upcoming Durga Puja.

However, a source in the Ministry of Commerce said that the decision to export Hilsa was made after discussing with the high level of the government, including the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.