KOLKATA, July 31: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a one-time honorarium of Rs 1.1 lakh to each Durga Puja committee this year. This will entail an expenditure of over Rs 450 crore from the state exchequer to the nearly 40,000 puja committees across the state.
Last year, the state government had granted Rs 85,000 to each Durga Puja committee. At the time, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had promised to increase the amount to Rs 1 lakh in 2025. However, in a surprise move, she has gone a step further by announcing Rs 10,000 more than what was initially promised.
Speaking at a meeting with puja organisers at Netaji Indoor Stadium today, Banerjee said, “Last year, I promised that I shall give one lakh this year. I have decided to give a grant of Rs 1,10,000 each to all the puja committees so that they can do their pujas in a proper way.”
Besides puja organisers, top state officials, and representatives from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, fire department, CESC, police, transport, and health departments were also present at the meeting.
Additionally, there will be a significant concession on electricity bills. The Chief Minister has directed both CESC and the State Electricity Distribution Board to offer an 80% discount on electricity charges for the puja committees.
She also announced that the Durga Puja Carnival will take place in Kolkata on October 5. Idol immersions are scheduled for October 2, 3, and 4.
The Chief Minister further instructed both the police and puja organisers to ensure the highest level of safety for women during the festivities.
“There should be CCTV cameras, drones, and watchtowers for monitoring. All the puja committees should pay attention to women’s safety and the convenience of the elderly visiting the pandals,” she said.
“There must be coordination between Kolkata Police and the State Police. All control rooms must remain active 24/7. There should be separate entry and exit routes to avoid crowding. Public address systems should be in place at pandals. Foreigners visiting should not be disrespected in any way,” she added.
“I will ask the transport department to run more vehicles so people can return home on time. Metro services should run longer – I’ll ask the officials to discuss this. Local trains should be available at night as well. I’ll instruct that ambulances be kept ready at pandals. Steps must be taken to prevent stampedes. Proper lighting must be arranged at immersion sites,” she said.
The grant initiative dates back to 2018, when the Chief Minister began offering Rs 10,000 to Puja organisers. That year, a 25% discount on electricity bills for Pujas was also introduced.
In 2019, the grant amount was increased to Rs 25,000. During the pandemic, it was suddenly raised to Rs 50,000.
In 2022, the amount rose to Rs 60,000; in 2023, it climbed to Rs 70,000; and in 2024, it was hiked by another Rs 15,000. Now, in 2025, it stands at Rs 1.1 lakh.
However, the opposition has alleged that the increase in puja grants is politically motivated, ahead of next year’s assembly elections.
“Why stop at Rs 1.1 lakh Make it Rs 2.1 lakh – it doesn’t matter. First, pay the outstanding DA to government employees. Fill the six lakh vacant government posts,” said Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.
(UNI)
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