Didi hikes grants for Durga Puja organisers, says stand by migrants

KOLKATA: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday combined an enhanced handout for Durga Puja organisers this year with an appeal to them to stand by migrant labourers returning home because of harassment in BJP-governed states.

Banerjee, reminding everyone of their social responsibility, asked clubs and puja organisers as well as the local administration to "give new clothes to those returning because of torture and harassment". "Everything has been snatched from them. We do not tolerate this torture nor do we believe in torturing others," Banerjee said, referring to the plight of Bengali-speaking migrant workers.

The CM announced an increased state grant of Rs 1.1 lakh for Durga Puja committees in Bengal, up from last year's Rs 85,000, and Rs 70,000 in 2023. Concessions on electricity bills, too, have been increased to 80% (it was 75% last year). And, like last year, the state fire department will not levy any charge.

"Some people claim that Mamata Banerjee does not allow pujas. Every household celebrates puja here. There is no puja that does not happen in Bengal. But, then, some people even go to court questioning why there should be assistance for pujas. This is a festival but it is a means of livelihood for so many as well. Youngsters from every neighbourhood leave their household chores to focus on themes to make their pujas successful. One puja ends and they start planning for another," she said, referring to the commerce around the festive season.

Puja organisers backed the the CM's stance. The hiked payout to 43,000-plus puja organisers will cost the state exchequer around Rs 473 crore (up from last year's Rs 365.5 crore). "But the money circulates in the market. It contributes to the Durga Puja economy, which may be around Rs 80,000 crore now," Saswata Bose, general secretary of Forum for Durgotsav, an umbrella organisation representing all major Durga Puja organisers, said.

Chief minister Mamta Banerjee announced that the carnival would be held on October 5, a day before Lakshmi Puja. Immersions will start on Oct 2 and end on Oct 4 (except for the pujas invited to the carnival). Kolkata police commissioner Manoj Verma announced that the single-window Asaan Durga Puja permission portal would be up and running from Aug 22.