A legal has been served to the government seeking a ban on exporting ilish fish to India.
Supreme Court lawyer Mahmudul Hasan sent the notice to the secretaries of the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Private Aviation and Tourism and others on Sunday.
The notice said: “Ilish is Bangladesh’s national fish. However, the poor cannot even think about eating it because of its excessive price in the domestic market. On average a kilogram (kg) of ilish costs Tk1,000 to Tk12,000.”
The letter also mentions that ilish fish from the Padma River is the most delicious one, but it is not always available in the market.
“The ones that are available in the market are usually from the sea. It is sad that the Ministry of Commerce allowed the ilish fish to be exported to India, before meeting the domestic needs.”
It also states that this step caused the fish's price to rise in Bangladesh, yet it was being exported to India at cheaper rates.
“According to Export Policy 2021-2024, ilish fish does not qualify for export. The Ministry of Commerce has allowed the export of ilish to India ignoring the interests of the people of Bangladesh,” It reads.
The notice later advises that if the Bangladesh government wants foreigners to enjoy the taste of ilish, then Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation should organize an “ilish festival”.
On September 5, Bangladesh exported eight tons of ilish to India on the occasion of the upcoming Durga Puja.
Two trucks carrying the fish entered Petrapole port in India after completing Benapole customs and port formalities.
A total of 2,450 tons of ilish will be exported from Bangladesh to India during this year's Durga Puja.
The Ministry of Commerce allowed 49 companies to export ilish. Each company can export 50 tons of the fish.
According to sources, although Padma River’s ilish is loved by the Bangalis of West Bengal, Bangladesh government stops its export from time to time considering the needs of the country.
In 2012, a ban was imposed on the export of ilish from Bangladesh to India.
However, Bangladesh has presented the fish to India on various occasions and also exported the fish last year on Durga Puja.
