Interim government of Bangladesh took a big decision against India: Hilsa fish is the national fish of Bangladesh and Bangladesh alone produces about 70 percent of the world's Hilsa fish. During the government of Sheikh Hasina, a large consignment of Hilsa fish used to come to India every year during the festival season. Sheikh Hasina started sending large consignments of Hilsa fish to West Bengal during the festival season with the purpose of goodwill,But after the fall of the government in Bangladesh, the interim government has banned the export of Hilsa fish. Due to which there has been a huge shortage of these fish and this is the reason why their prices are skyrocketing.
Instruction to stop the export of Hilsa fish
Farida Akhtar, an advisor to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, said that they will not export Hilsa until it is sufficient for the people of Bangladesh and this year they have also instructed the Ministry of Commerce to stop the export of Hilsa fish to India during Durga Puja. Durga Puja is celebrated with great pomp in West Bengal. People like to eat Hilsa fish with Khichdi. But this year it does not seem to be happening.
Diplomatic tool between India and Bangladesh
However, these fish have found their way to India bypassing these restrictions, so these fish will be available in the markets of West Bengal but their price will be very high. Hilsa fish has been a diplomatic tool between India and Bangladesh. This fish has created goodwill and friendship between the two countries. Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has also gifted this fish to many leaders of India including Mamata Banerjee.
Sale of this fish in the markets of Delhi
Let us tell you that this fish is found in small quantities in places like Orissa, Myanmar and Gujarat and due to low supply, the price of these fish will be very high during Durga Puja. The special thing is that even though the last government of Bangladesh has banned the export of this fish, but this fish is still being sold in the markets of Delhi.
Hilsa is now coming to India via Myanmar
In 2012, Bangladesh had banned the export of Hilsa fish to China due to a dispute over the Teesta river water sharing agreement. Due to this ban, the prices of this fish in India had skyrocketed and it was also being smuggled, seeing which Sheikh Hasina had started the export again. Traders selling fish in the market said that Bangladesh's Hilsa is now coming to India via Myanmar.
Sale at Rs 2200 to 2400 per kilogram
This is the reason why their prices have increased. Hilsa fish weighing one to one and a half kilos is now being sold at Rs 2200 to Rs 2400 per kilo. Whereas a few months ago its maximum price used to be ₹ 2000. Hilsa fish found in the Padma river is in great demand not only in West Bengal but also in the markets of Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Jharkhand and Bihar. It is in great demand not only during Durga Puja but also during Poila Baisakh (Bengali New Year).