The interim government has taken a policy decision to export 1,200 tonnes of hilsa to India, subject to conditions, for the coming Sharadiya Durga Puja. The minimum export price has been set at $12.50 a kg, or Tk 1,525.

With hilsa beyond the reach of ordinary people at home, and many unable to put it on their plates because of high prices, sending hilsa to India at a comparatively low price has sparked wide discussion and criticism on social media. Many say the government is sending hilsa to India for less than it costs in the domestic market, which is not acceptable.

Fisheries and livestock adviser Farida Akhter, however, says hilsa is being sent to India at a comparatively higher price this time.

"We have said again and again that the country's demand will be given priority. As a neighbour we have to send some hilsa at India's request. But this time it is much less than the demand, and at a higher price," she said of the Durga Puja exports.

One Rony Emran posted a video of a hilsa market with the caption: "Tk 2,500 hilsa for 1,500, there won't be a single hilsa left in the country."

A page called OuR WORLD posted a hilsa video with the caption: "Hilsa is going to India at half price, while buying hilsa in this country has become a nightmare."

Under that post, one commenter (MD Sujat Sheikh) wrote: "Without thinking of the country or the people, how can they give India 1,200 tonnes of hilsa as a gift at such a low price? This cannot be accepted."

MD Shahin Ali commented there: "Developed government, developed fish business." One Simanta Rekha commented: "Are these also India's agents?"

Fakhrul Islam Hemel posted a media photocard about hilsa on his Facebook page with the misspelt caption: "Yunus sir, why send fish to India? I know you're not giving it free, but will you sell hilsa at Tk 1,500 a kg at home?"

In the comments on that post, Habibur Rahman Habib wrote: "For two days I asked the price of hilsa. Hearing Tk 2,800 and Tk 2,400 a kg, I couldn't buy. If it were Tk 1,500 a kg I would have taken 5 to 7 kg at once."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.