CM Mamata Banerjee hikes Durga Puja grant, urges support for migrant workers returning to Bengal

Time of India

2 days ago

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
KOLKATA: CM
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 in BJP-governed states.
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. Concession 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.
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'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 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 e season.
Puja organisers backed 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 that 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.
Banerjee announced that the carnival would be held on October 5, a day before Lakshmi Puja.
Immersions will start on October 2 and end on October 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 August 22.
The CM asked cops to check the themes with organisers and urged the latter not to create themes that could lead to stampedes. 'People's lives should not be put at risk in the effort to attract crowds.
Avoid competing over crowd size. Every puja is unique. There should be no stampede. Why only showcase the festivals of Bobby, Aroop, and Sujit (pujas patronised by state ministers Firhad Hakim, Aroop Biswas and Sujit Bose)? Showcase others as well,' she said.
Banerjee warned that revellers might be out early this year. 'Mahalaya is barely four days after Vishwakarma Puja this year. Earlier, cops hit the road on Chaturthi.
Now people come out much earlier. I begin inaugurations before Mahalaya. The police and all emergency services will have to hit the road early. Spare a thought for those who work round the clock for your safety during puja,' she urged, asking puja organisers to pay special attention to revellers' safety.
Each puja committee should set up an emergency centre, she suggested. 'There should be coordination between Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police.
All control rooms must remain active 24x7. Separate entrances and exits should be there for crowd dispersal, she said, also referring to the increased participation of foreigners: 'Ensure that they are treated with respect.'
Banerjee also urged the local administration to be prepared for emergency situations. 'There should be no issue regarding women's security. Specially abled people, too, should be taken care of,' she stressed while instructing the transport department to run more vehicles and asking state chief secretary Manoj Pant to speak to Metro Railway and local train authorities to extend their hours of operation during the festival.