Mamata hikes Durga Puja grant, each committee to get 85k this yr
Times of India | 24 July 2024
Kolkata: Each Durga Puja committee in Bengal will receive Rs 85,000 from the govt this year, up from Rs 70,000 last year. The grant for over 43,000 organizers is likely to cost the state exchequer over Rs 365.5 crore, up from Rs 280 crore when around 40,000 organizers had received this grant last year.
Announcing the hike in grant at a meeting with puja organizers at Netaji Indoor Stadium on Tuesday, CM Mamata Banerjee promised to raise the amount to Rs 1 lakh next year.“I’m sure the committees will be able to manage the rest of the funding themselves. Even today, we received nothing in the (Union) budget. Bengal got zero. But no matter how sad we are, we will never say no to times of celebration. We cannot forget our festivals,” the CM said.
Banerjee also hiked the concession on power consumed by pandals from 66% last year to 75%. “I have spoken to CESC, WBSEDCL and the power department. There has been a substantial rise in electricity costs this year in the CESC area,” she said.
The immersion dates have been fixed between Oct 12 and 15 and the carnival may be held on Oct 15. Kolkata Police commissioner Vineet Goyal announced that the online system for puja permissions — Asan — will open on Sep 2.
Banerjee said she called the administrative meeting in July to ensure that preparations and coordination issues can be worked out since Durga Puja will come earlier this year and there are chances of rain playing a spoilsport. In case a mishap occurs, the CM warned that the committee concerned will be blacklisted for the next year and will not get any sponsorship for the pujas.
Banerjee added that she was against the use of VIP passes in pandals and cautioned that no puja organizer had the right to obstruct movement on Kolkata’s roads. “It is unfair that VIPs arrive at pandals in vehicles while other people stand in queues. I complete inaugurating pujas by Panchami because if VIPs move during pujas, movement of the general public is obstructed. Additionally, proper electricity and fire safety methods should be followed in the pandals,” she said.
The CM instructed Goyal and DGP Rajeev Kumar to start taking note of the themes of various puja committees. “You do not have to disclose the entire theme. But let us know what you intend to do about space, entry/exit, etc. Ensure there is no stampede. You have to take responsibility,” Banerjee told puja committees.
The CM asked cops to complete all coordination meetings in time and ensure there is no issue regarding the security of women. The specially-abled people should also be taken care of. Banerjee also shared her plan to keep public welfare hoardings at pandals.