mamata-to-chair-durga-puja-meet-with-organisers-on-july-31

Ahead of Durga Puja, puja committees in West Bengal are anticipating Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to hike the financial grant for them, with a key meeting of festival organisers with the chief minister lined up for July 31 at Kolkata's Netaji Indoor Stadium to seal the plans.

 

The meeting is of critical importance to thousands of small and large Durga Puja committees in Kolkata and other districts. The state government last year enhanced its grant from ₹75,000 to ₹85,000 per puja committee. Many believe the chief minister will raise the grant again to ₹1 lakh in a statement at the July 31 meeting.

 

The chief minister will chair the meeting, which is likely to witness representatives of around 5,000 puja committees, top police officials, the mayor of Kolkata, the fire department officials, Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation officials, and other agencies.

 

The Puja committee officials look forward to the day, as the chief minister makes the traditional announcement of not only money but also other exemptions for the festival. Government grant checks are usually distributed to committees through local police stations.

 

Political observers are closely watching this year's conclave, considering it is being held in advance of next year's Assembly elections.

 

Also read: Mamata slams EC, Centre over SIR, blames DVC for Bengal floods

 

The Trinamool Congress has witnessed favourable electoral results connected to the grant during the puja. With the Lok Sabha polls having been completed last year, in which the grant was hiked, the expected hike of the grant to ₹ one lakh shortly before the Assembly polls has been viewed by political circles as a strategic effort that would have a favourable impact on the ballot.

 

Additionally, the chief minister is also reported to be using this platform in support of communal harmony.

 

Apart from the money, the conference will also supply necessary instructions for several festival preparations, such as ensuring cleanliness and drinking water supply during the puja days. Although some puja committees earlier returned the grant in protest of incidents like the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, most have taken the government's monetary aid throughout.

 

Meanwhile, CM Mamata Banerjee also started district tours on Sunday, beginning with Birbhum.