Polls in view, Mamata gives hike in Durga Puja bonanza

KOLKATA:  West Bengal Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday announced a Durga Puja bonanza, offering a grant of Rs 60,000 to each of the 40,000-odd Puja committees in the state, besides concession on electricity bill. In 2020, the grant was Rs 50,000. The cash-strapped state government will spend Rs 240 crore to provide this financial aid to the puja committees.

The decision seems to be a calculated move before next year’s panchayat poll. During their campaign in the previous elections, BJP leaders, including PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, had accused the TMC-led government of not allowing people to celebrate the festival. 

Without naming the BJP, Mamata, in a meeting with puja organisers, said, “Many people say Durga Puja is not allowed in the state. But I must say the state celebrates the festival in a way that you cannot see anywhere. We make year-long preparation for the occasion.’’

The week-long festivities will start on Oct. 1.

Mamata had introduced grant for Puja organisers in 2018 with Rs 10,000 for each committee. In 2019, it was risen to Rs 25,000. When it was further boosted last year, many PILs were filed in the high court accusing the state government of spending tax payers’ money in the name of giving grant to puja organisers. The court had said it would not intervene in a matter where people’s religious sentiment is involved.