At a meeting held in Thakurgaon, Advisor to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Farida Akhtar said that hilsa is being exported from Bangladesh to India this year on the occasion of Durga Puja. However, she stressed that this decision had to be taken due to the 'compulsory situation' of the government.

She made this comment at a meeting organized by the district administration and the Department of Fisheries on Saturday (September 13) afternoon at the water body adjacent to the Burir dam in Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila.

Farida Akhtar said, "This time too, India has requested to send hilsa several times on the occasion of Durga Puja. Permission was requested from the Ministry of Commerce and Foreign Affairs. Finally, a decision has been taken to export 1,200 metric tons of hilsa. On the one hand, religious festivals, on the other hand, neighboring relations - we were forced to take this decision considering everything."

He further said, "The cost is 35 to 40 thousand, but the allocation is only 32 thousand. Where the remaining money will come from is a big question. Initiatives will be taken in this regard. However, I want to make it clear that the people of Bangladesh will eat hilsa first, then others."

The meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Ishrat Farzana, was also addressed by Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber, Acting Director General of the Fisheries Department Dr. Abdur Rouf, Superintendent of Police Sheikh Zahidul Islam, District Fisheries Officer Arafat Uddin Ahmed, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khairul Islam, among others.