Self-reliance on fish within tenure of present govt: Minister

RANGPUR, May 24 (BSS): Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Muhammed Sayedul Hoque Saturday said Bangladesh would achieve self-reliance on fish within tenure of the present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"The country produced 3.4 million (34 lakh) tonne fish last year against annual demand of 4.2 million tonne as its production increases by 0.1 million tonne every year to achieve self-reliance soon following various pragmatic steps taken by the present government," he said.
He was addressing the Central Orientation Workshop-2015 on 'Fisheries Development Project for Rangpur Division' organised by the Fisheries Department under the project at Parjatan Motel conference room in the city as the chief guest.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Administration Ministry HN Ashikur Rahman MP, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development & Cooperatives Mashiur Rahman Ranga MP, Abul Kalam Md. Ahsanul Haque Chowdhury MP, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Anisur Rahman addressed as special guests.
President of city Awami League Shafiar Rahman Shafi, General Secretary Tushar Kanti Mandal, Mithapukur upazila chairman Zakir Hossain Sarker, ADC (Revenue) Mostain Billah, Kurigram District Fisheries Officer Dr Zillur Rahman, fish farmers Shah Mohammad Mahfuzul Haque and Mozammel Haque Mintu, spoke on the occasion.
Divisional Deputy Director of the Fisheries Department Rakib Uddin Biswas delivered welcome speech narrating goals of the workshop and said that 1.66 lakh tonne fish was produced last year against annual demand of 0.27 million (2.74 lakh) tonne in Rangpur division.