Will Mamata Banerjee Raise the Durga Puja Grant on July 31?

Kolkata, July 26 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, is preparing to convene a coordination meeting with community Durga Puja committees from Kolkata and nearby regions at the Netaji Indoor Stadium on July 31. During this meeting, she is expected to raise the grant for each puja committee to Rs 1 lakh, a jump from Rs 85,000 last year.

According to sources within the state government, amidst accusations of mistreatment of Bengalis in states governed by the BJP, the Chief Minister may also urge the puja organisers to prioritize social unity during the festive period.

Attendees from each puja committee are expected to include representatives from various communities such as Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs.

“The objective is to celebrate Durga Puja as a festival for everyone and to bring attention to the recent injustices faced by Bengalis across India, especially in BJP led states,” stated a government official.

Puja committee members are optimistic that the Chief Minister will announce additional support for the puja committees this year, particularly in light of the upcoming state assembly elections.

“Last year, the Chief Minister pledged to enhance the grant. We are hopeful for an announcement regarding this during the forthcoming coordination meeting. We are also anticipating a reduction in electricity charges,” remarked Soumen Dutta, general secretary of the Kashi Bose Lane Durga Puja Samity in north Kolkata.

This annual meeting is crucial for ensuring the availability of electricity, drinking water, health services, and security throughout the festival, which runs from September 28 to October 2 this year.

In the previous year, Mamata Banerjee increased the honorarium for community Durga Pujas to Rs 85,000 per committee from Rs 70,000 for approximately 43,000 Durga Puja committees across West Bengal. She had also promised to raise it to Rs 1 lakh this year.

“As has been the case in previous years, Mamata Banerjee sets the tone for the festival through this gathering. We eagerly await her message this year, and it seems likely that funding for puja committees will increase,” shared a member from another significant Durga Puja committee in south Kolkata.

The meeting, presided over by Banerjee, will include high-ranking administrative officials, representatives from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), the fire services department, CESC Ltd, police, as well as transport and health departments. Organisers from various puja committees statewide are also expected to be present.

However, Sajal Ghosh, organiser of the Santosh Mitra Puja Committee in central Kolkata, stated that they would not be accepting the puja grant from the government led by Mamata Banerjee.

“As in past years, I will decline the puja grant. The state government should not use public funds for these distributions. Such money should be reserved for development, not festivities,” said Ghosh, who is also a BJP councillor in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.