3 hrs ago
West Bengal Announces Rs 1 Lakh Durga Puja Grant
The West Bengal government will give some Durga Puja committees Rs 1 lakh to help pay for celebrations.
This is less money than committees received last year.
Groups that can pay for their own celebrations are being asked not to take the grant.
Electricity will be free for all puja committees, and fire-safety clearance fees will be waived.
Durga Puja inaugurations cannot happen before Mahalaya.
The government will hold a special programme at Eden Gardens on Mahalaya, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to attend.
DJs will be banned during the festival, and liquor shops and bars will close on Ashtami.
Idols must be immersed by October 24.
The government will also continue awards for well-organised and creative pujas.
The West Bengal government announced a Rs 1 lakh Durga Puja grant for committees needing financial assistance.
The grant is Rs 10,000 lower than last year's Rs 1.10 lakh assistance under the previous government.
Puja committees will receive free electricity and a 100 per cent waiver on fire-safety clearance fees.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari urged large-budget committees to voluntarily decline the grant.
The government banned DJs, cancelled the Durga Puja carnival, and set October 24 as the idol-immersion deadline.
- Who
- The West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, and Durga Puja committees.
- What
- The government announced a Rs 1 lakh grant, free electricity, waived fire-clearance fees, and new festival rules.
- Where
- The announcement was made at Milan Mela ground in Kolkata and applies across West Bengal.
- When
- The announcement was made on Monday, September 7; idol immersion must be completed by October 24.
- Why
- The grant is intended for committees needing financial assistance, while the other measures organise and regulate Durga Puja celebrations.
Committees Needing Aid
Committees Able to Self-Fund
Whether to accept the grant
Committees Needing Aid
Committees that cannot organise Durga Puja without financial help can apply locally for the Rs 1 lakh grant.
Committees Able to Self-Fund
Committees capable of funding their celebrations themselves are being asked to voluntarily forgo government assistance.
Approach to government support
Committees Needing Aid
Supporters of the grant can view it as necessary assistance for committees with limited resources.
Committees Able to Self-Fund
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari argued that large-budget committees should not depend on state funding.
Key facts
- Grant amount
- Rs 1 lakh per eligible Durga Puja committee
- Previous grant
- Rs 1.10 lakh last year
- Electricity charges
- Completely waived for puja committees across West Bengal
- Fire-safety fees
- Fully waived for obtaining fire-safety clearances
- Immersion deadline
- October 24, before Kojagari Lakshmi Puja on October 25
- Festival restrictions
- No DJs, no inaugurations before Mahalaya, and no processions blocking national highways
- Cancelled event
- The government-organised Durga Puja carnival will not be held this year
Quotes
Suvendu Adhikari
Chief minister of West Bengal announcing the grant policy
“I do not want to misuse the powers of the chief minister. I would request those who are capable (of organising pujas without government assistance) not to take the financial aid. Those who cannot organise the puja without this money will be given Rs 1 lakh by the government.”
theprint.in
“Those who need the grant can apply locally, while those who do not need it can choose not to take it. I leave the matter to the puja committees.”
theprint.in
Sources
Related news
Bengal govt assures all possible support for Durga Puja organisers
West Bengal Announces Major Durga Puja Rules for 2026
West Bengal Minister Urges Durga Puja Committees Avoid State Aid
West Bengal Sets Ashtami Liquor Ban, Curbs Immersion DJs
West Bengal Plans Mega Durga Puja Show at Eden Gardens
West Bengal Plans Grand Mahalaya Event, Inviting Modi and Shah
Bengal BJP Faces Internal Clash Over Durga Puja Food Traditions
Kangana Ranaut Questions Character Attacks Against Women in Politics
Naidu Urges Alliance Unity Ahead of Local Body Polls
BJP’s Case Against Journalist Draws Taliban Rule Comparison
