Will Mamata Increase Grants To Bengal Durga Puja Committees? All Eyes On CM's Meeting Today
As Durga Puja approaches, puja committees across West Bengal are eagerly waiting to see whether Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will increase the financial grant provided to them. A crucial coordination meeting between the Chief Minister and festival organisers is scheduled for July 31 at Kolkata's Netaji Indoor Stadium, where key plans for this year's celebrations are expected to be finalised.
Last year, Mamata Banerjee had made a major announcement, declaring that the honorarium for each Durga Puja committee would be increased to Rs 1 lakh in 2025. 'If we could raise the grant by Rs 15,000 this year, next year we will increase it to Rs 1 lakh. I'm making this announcement in advance," she had said, drawing loud applause from attendees.
With assembly elections scheduled for next year, Thursday's meeting has gained added political significance. Observers believe that Mamata Banerjee may make new announcements related to 'Durga Angan," a cultural and infrastructural initiative she had mentioned during her speech at the July 21 Martyrs' Day rally.
This came shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a visit to Asansol, began his speech with chants of 'Jai Ma Kali" and 'Jai Ma Durga." The BJP, however, has consistently criticised the state government's grant to puja committees, calling it a move to appease Hindu voters ahead of elections.
Speaking to News18 Sajal Ghosh BJP councillor and organiser of pujo in North Kolkata, says 'This time, she will increase it and make it Rs 1 lakh because she wants to purchase votes. About Rs 400 crore will be spent at a time when people are not getting jobs."
All eyes are now on what Mamata Banerjee will announce on Thursday, as both political and cultural sentiments build ahead of Bengal's biggest festival.
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