The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on Wednesday recommended an investigation into allegations of unjustified price hikes, excessive profits by middlemen, artificial shortages and supply chain irregularities in the markets for fish, meat, milk and eggs.
The recommendation came at the committee’s second meeting of the 13th National Parliament, held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, with Committee Chairman Khairul Kabir Khokon presiding.
According to a press release, the committee recommended that the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock conduct market-level investigations and monitoring to verify the allegations in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce, Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection and other relevant agencies.
The meeting, attended by State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku and other committee members, also emphasised increasing fish and livestock production, ensuring supplies at fair prices and protecting consumer rights.
The committee stressed the need to establish fish sanctuaries in waterbodies, continue support for farmers at the upazila and district levels and strengthen market monitoring.
It also recommended preparing an integrated action plan for marine fisheries exploration and harvesting, alongside measures to expand fish exports to international markets, and submitting it to the committee.
At the beginning of the meeting, the committee confirmed the minutes of its first meeting. The ministry subsequently presented a progress report on implementing decisions taken at that meeting.
The committee directed the ministry to present updates on ongoing recruitment activities across its departments and agencies at the next meeting.
It also instructed the authorities concerned to complete development projects within the scheduled timeframe and ensure accountability among responsible officials.
Committee members Sheikh Md Rezaul Islam, Professor Nazrul Islam, MA Hannan, Ali Azam Md Abu Bakar and Md Amir Hamza attended the meeting.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid also attended at the special invitation of the committee chairman.
The ministry’s secretary, heads of its departments and agencies, senior officials and representatives of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat were also present.
