The interim government has launched an initiative to sell ilish at an affordable price for all due to its skyrocketing price in the local market.
Farida Akhter, adviser for the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, and top Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) officials inaugurated the service at the capital’s Karwan Bazar on Sunday afternoon.
The government is selling ilish weighing between 450 and 850 grams for Tk600 per kg.
Historically, ilish was a regular diet for middle- and low-middle-income families, but that trend has changed due to recent market conditions and its high price.
Now, anyone can buy ilish at a discounted price from the sales centre of the BFDC building's fish market at Karwan Bazar following the official inauguration of the service.
According to buyers, on the first day, 100kg of ilish was sold within nearly two hours after the inauguration.
BFDC officials said that from Monday, ilish will be sold from 10am to noon every day at the same time, and initially, 100kg will be sold daily.
At the inauguration event, Farida said: "We will strive to extend these efforts and continue to provide more ilish at these prices."
Meanwhile, Suraiya Akhter Jahan, chairman of the BFDC, said: "We are planning to sell ilish like a ration sale of the TCB, and each person can purchase up to one and a half kilograms daily."
