The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Frequent foreign visits by a top official of the Ministry of Fisheries is badly hampering normal activities of the ministry and departments under it, sources in the Ministry said.

The top official is now staying in China on a 9-day-long study tour. During the last five months he also visited Nepal, Belgium, South Africa and USA, and is scheduled to go to Thailand in August, sources added.

Such frequent visits by said official has delayed decisions on many important files of different programmes and projects under the ministry. Besides, participation of the top official in petty programmes has created resentment among the lower level officials of the ministry who are deprived of the same privilege.

Fisheries Secretary Syed Ataur Rahman is now in China to participate in a study tour on 'Waterways leasing system'. He went there on July 12 and is scheduled to return on July 20. Officials said such a study tour is suitable for junior level officials. The low level officials can participate in such study tour and submit report to the high officials, according to sources.

Syed Ataur Rahman led a four-member delegation to US from June 14 to June 21 to have talks with the United States Trade Representatives (USTR) officials on labour rights and child labour issues.

In May this year the Secretary visited South Africa to attend a seminar. He visital Belgium from April 17 to April 24 to attend European Sea Food Fair. In March this year, he attended a programme on fisheries in Nepal.

An official said due to the frequent foreign tours of the secretary decisions on many important issues of national interest have been left pending.