Kolkata, September 7 (Daily Kiran) : Kolkata’s Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, announced on September 7 that all community Durga Puja committees in West Bengal will receive a grant of ₹1 lakh. This decision came after a meeting with representatives from various Durga Puja committees across the state.
Initially, the CM had intended to provide support only to lower-budget committees. However, he has now extended the grant to all community organizations. He urged larger, financially stable committees to voluntarily decline government assistance, allowing more funds to reach those in dire need.
“We want this ₹1 lakh assistance to reach those committees that struggle to organize the festival without financial help,” Adhikari stated.
In addition to the financial support, the Chief Minister announced that Durga Puja committees would not have to pay for electricity during the festival. He also made it clear that the use of DJs will not be permitted during the celebrations.
Furthermore, a dry day has been declared for October 19, the day of Mahashtami, when all liquor shops will be closed, and bars and pubs will not be allowed to sell alcohol. “Mahashtami is a sacred occasion. On this day, we offer flowers to Maa Durga, and we have decided to declare it a dry day to preserve the sanctity of the festival,” he explained.
Adhikari also criticized former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, suggesting that the previous government’s handling of the grant process had become a tool for political gain. He remarked, “Under the previous administration, this grant turned into a kind of political bidding process, which ultimately did not succeed in the last elections. Many committees became reliant on government funding.”
This announcement is seen as a significant step in preparing for the upcoming Durga Puja, one of West Bengal’s largest cultural and religious events, involving thousands of community committees.
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