Archive · 28 Aug 2026
West Bengal Minister Urges Durga Puja Committees Avoid State Aid
Dilip Ghosh asked Durga Puja groups in West Bengal not to depend on government money.
He said they should collect donations from local people instead.
Ghosh argued that state grants for the festival go against the Constitution.
He said this would make the festival more connected to the public.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had previously said that only committees without enough money would receive help.
The chief minister was expected to decide on the issue soon.
Ghosh also said special auditors would check complaints about fake bills.
These complaints involved people allegedly taking large sums without finishing their work.
Minister Dilip Ghosh urged Durga Puja committees to use public donations instead of state government grants.
Ghosh said government funding for the festival was unconstitutional and should be replaced by community support.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had earlier said aid would go only to committees lacking funds.
Adhikari was expected to make a decision on the funding policy soon.
Ghosh said special audit teams would investigate corruption complaints involving fake bills and incomplete work.
- Who
- West Bengal Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Dilip Ghosh, Durga Puja committees, and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
- What
- Ghosh urged Durga Puja committees to organize the festival using public donations rather than state government grants.
- When
- Friday, during the Rakhi Purnima festival; a decision was expected soon.
- Where
- Berhampore in Murshidabad, West Bengal.
- Why
- Ghosh said government aid for Durga Puja was unconstitutional and that public donations would make it a people’s festival.
- Speaker
- West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh
- Festival
- Durga Puja
- Location
- Berhampore, Murshidabad
- Proposed funding
- Donations collected from the public
- Earlier government position
- Financial support only for committees lacking funds
- Oversight measure
- Special audit teams to examine corruption complaints
- Allegations under review
- Fake bills submitted for work that was not completed