Dhaka:The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has urged the ministry to devise a comprehensive action plan for marine fisheries exploration and harvesting. The committee emphasized the importance of expanding international markets for fish exports and requested that the plan be presented to them for review.
According to United News of Bangladesh, this recommendation emerged during the committee's second meeting held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, chaired by Khairul Kabir Khokon. The parliamentary body highlighted the necessity of enhancing fisheries and livestock production, ensuring fair pricing, protecting consumer rights, and supporting farmers at local levels. They also discussed the importance of establishing sanctuaries in water bodies and strengthening market oversight.
The committee further advised the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to conduct market investigations and coordinate with the Ministry of Commerce, the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, and other agencies. This collaboration aims to address claims of unjust price hikes, excessive profits by intermediaries, artificial shortages, and irregularities in the supply chains of fish, meat, milk, and eggs.
Additionally, the committee instructed the ministry to provide an update on the progress of ongoing recruitment processes across all its departments and agencies at the next meeting. They stressed the importance of completing development projects within their deadlines and maintaining accountability among officials.
The meeting was attended by Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid, who was specially invited by the committee chairman. Other attendees included committee members State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Sk Md Rejaul Islam, Prof Nazrul Islam, MA Hannan, Ali Azam Md Abu Bakar, and Md Amir Hamza, along with the Fisheries and Livestock Secretary and senior officials from relevant departments.