670 Durga Puja committees in city apply for state grant
Times of India | 11 September 2024
Kolkata: In all, 670 out of 2,757 Durga Pujas across the city that had received grants from the state govt last year have applied for the funds this year again. The first tranche of funds was disbursed on Tuesday. Each applicant will receive a grant of Rs 85,000 through the local police stations. The CM had announced the release of funds at Nabanna on Monday.
There are also three puja committees that have decided to forgo the grant — Amra Sobai at Metiabruz, Behala Chowrasta Sabeda Bagan in Behala and Bastuhara Netaji Nagar Durgotsav Committee in Netaji Nagar.
Among the bigger organisers who said they will accept the grant is Mudiali Club.
“Like the rest of the city, we are also as saddened by what has happened at R G Kar. We seek justice for our sister. But we also feel that the livelihoods of thousands are linked to Durga Puja and we are committed to them. There are 40 workers who are engaged with construction of our pandal for the past two months. At the end of their work, each will be paid Rs 50,000, an earning for which they wait for an entire year. There is the contractor who supplies us bamboos, others who are making the idols or the jewellery of the deity. While we all seek justice, we will also ensure we don’t deny these craftsmen their means of livelihood,” said Ashok Dey of Mudiali Club.
Samajsebi organisers are planning to set up additional CCTVs in the area to ensure that there is security. “As we strive for justice for our sister, there is also need to look forward. We have already discussed our plans with local cops. Durga Puja is a tradition that involves the lives of many. Hence, we feel both protests and Puja can continue,” claimed one of the organisers.
“We had filed an application four days ago. From past experiences, we learnt that the earlier we apply, the earlier we get the disbursements. Puja is a long-term commitment and we are going ahead with the celebration, but we are scaling it down a bit. There will also be no procession this time while we bring the idol. There will only be dhakis,” said Manta Mishra of Gouriberia Sarbojonin Durgotsab o Pradarshani at Ultadanga.
At Mominpore Sporting Club, the members were initially divided over the scale of puja this year, but they finally applied for the govt aid and other permissions after a consensus. “ We all want justice for the young doctor but we also need to think about the livelihoods of people involved with the festival,” said Serajul Karim, president of the puja committee.
Asis Sen of Madhya Kolikata Syakrapara Lane Jubak Samity said they too have applied for the govt aid and other police nods.