mamata-hikes-durga-puja-doles-for-clubs-to-rs-85k

Mamata hikes Durga Puja doles for clubs to Rs 85K

Until last year, the figure was Rs 70,000 to each club. This year, CM Banerjee has increased the amount to Rs 85,000, with assurance of Rs 1 lakh next year.

News Arena Network - Kolkata - UPDATED: July 24, 2024, 06:53 AM - 2 min read

Mamata hikes Durga Puja doles for clubs to Rs 85K

Glimpse of the Durga idol.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday increased the state grant, for community clubs that organise Durga Puja across Bengal, to Rs 85,000 each, with an assurance of Rs 1 lakh next year.

With around 40,000 Durga pujas held by community clubs across the state, including around 3,000 in Kolkata and its surrounding areas, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government will be spending at least Rs 340 crore this year for the most anticipated festival of Bengalis.

“Till last year, we gave Rs 70,000 to each club. This year, we are increasing the amount to Rs 85,000. Next year, we will increase the grant to Rs 1 lakh. I am announcing this in advance,”

Banerjee said at a Kolkata auditorium during a meeting with puja committee members and government officials.

Commenting on the Union Budget 2024-25, the CM announced that the clubs will continue to enjoy full exemption on all government fees like before and the subsidy on electricity bills will be increased from the existing 66 per cent to 75 per cent.

“We did not get anything in today’s Budget. But we always try our best to be with the people. What more can a poor government do,” Banerjee said.

TMC leaders said the decision to increase the grant for Durga Puja organisers was taken during the state cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning.

Banerjee, meanwhile, stressed on the safety measures that should be taken during the festival in October.

“The police and puja organisers must ensure multiple entry and exit points for the crowd at every venue. Quick response teams must be placed everywhere. There should not be any commotion. Organisers found responsible for stalling traffic or causing inconvenience will be blacklisted,” Banerjee said.

The CM’s decision to hike the state’s financial assistance to the clubs to Rs 70,000 in 2023 triggered a row, with the Bharatiya Janata Party alleging that she was misusing public funds to secure votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The amount was Rs 60,000 in 2022. In 2018, when Banerjee started the assistance scheme, the amount was Rs 10,000.