Bengal CM Announces ₹1 Lakh Aid for Smaller Durga Puja Committees, Urges Big-Budget Pujas to Opt Out

KOLKATA, Sept 7: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced a government grant of Rs 1 lakh for smaller Durga Puja committees that require financial assistance to organise the annual festival, while urging financially stronger and high-budget organisers to voluntarily decline the support.

Addressing a large Durga Puja coordination meeting at Milan Mela near Science City, Adhikari said the assistance would be completely voluntary. The meeting was attended by representatives of 1,355 Puja committees from Kolkata, 78 from Salt Lake, Rajarhat and adjoining areas, and 20 from Howrah.

“I appeal to the big ticket Pujas not to take the government grant. Those who can organise their Pujas without this assistance should not apply. I will personally thank those who voluntarily opt out,” the Chief Minister said.

Adhikari noted that organising a Durga Puja in Kolkata can cost around Rs 10 lakh, while committees in rural areas generally require between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 7 lakh. The government assistance, he said, is intended primarily for smaller committees that genuinely depend on financial support.

The funds will be released after committees submit applications, which will be scrutinised by the authorities. Following approval, the Finance Department will transfer the money, with the Chief Minister assuring organisers that the assistance would reach them before Shasthi.

“Those who do not want to take the money need not apply. This is entirely optional. I am not forcing anyone,” Adhikari said.

Free Electricity for Puja Committees

In another major announcement, the state government said Durga Puja committees would receive electricity free of charge during the festival. Both the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (WBSEDCL) and CESC have agreed to provide the service without billing the organisers.

The government has also introduced the Sahaj portal, a single-window digital platform intended to simplify the process of obtaining permissions and clearances required for organising Durga Puja.

Adhikari said organisers would be able to apply for the necessary approvals through the online system instead of approaching multiple government departments.

“No new Puja committee will need to knock on the doors of the Calcutta High Court to organise a Durga Puja. All you need to do is obtain an NOC for the land and the requisite permits,” he said, referring critically to the previous system under the former Trinamool Congress regime.

Red Road Carnival Cancelled

In a departure from recent years, the government will not organise the traditional Durga Puja Carnival on Red Road after the festival.

“Carnival was imposed on you over the last few years. This year, we will not do that,” Adhikari told the Puja organisers, drawing applause from the gathering.

Instead, a major programme will be held at Eden Gardens on Mahalaya to mark the formal beginning of the festive season. The event is expected to feature cultural performances, visual effects, fireworks and a large-scale drone show involving thousands of drones.

Adhikari said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be invited to attend the Mahalaya programme.

The state also plans to organise Durga Puja-themed roadshows, decorate four ghats along the Ganga and conduct cultural programmes in six cities. Special Puja tours will additionally be arranged for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

New Rules for Immersion and Pandals

The Chief Minister announced that cranes would no longer be used to retrieve idols from the Ganges following immersion.

“We will stop the use of cranes for lifting the idols after immersion. The sanctity and dignity of Maa Durga’s idol must not be desecrated in the process,” he said.

All idols will have to be immersed by October 24, a day before Lakshmi Puja. Adhikari said immersion schedules would follow traditional panjikas rather than being dictated through administrative orders.

He also said Puja pandals would not be permitted to open before Mahalaya. Organisers were urged to preserve the religious and cultural character of the festival.

The use of DJs will also be prohibited during the celebrations as well as in immersion processions.

Agencies to Coordinate Festival Arrangements

The coordination meeting brought together officials and representatives from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, other urban local bodies, Kolkata Police, West Bengal Police, CESC, WBSEDCL, Fire and Emergency Services, transport and health departments, besides district magistrates and superintendents of police.

The government said agencies would work together to ensure uninterrupted arrangements for road repairs, street lighting, fire safety, electricity supply, transport and food hygiene.

Joint control rooms involving Kolkata Police and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation will also be established to coordinate festival-related operations.

The government said the overall arrangements are aimed at ensuring that the Durga Puja celebrations remain safe, orderly and accessible while retaining their traditional religious and cultural character.