Mamata Banerjee Hikes Durga Puja Grant to Rs 1.10 Lakh Amid BJP Criticism

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced a significant hike in the state government’s financial grant to Durga Puja committees, increasing the amount from Rs 85,000 to Rs 1.10 lakh for each committee. The decision, announced during a coordination meeting with Puja organizers in Kolkata, will benefit approximately 45,000 registered committees across the state, pushing the total expenditure to over Rs 400 crore.

During her address, Banerjee defended the government’s financial support for the festival, taking a swipe at her political opponents. “Some go to court and ask why we help those doing Puja. It’s because so many people’s bread and butter is involved with this,” she stated, dismissing claims that her government obstructs Hindu festivals. She argued that the grants support the local economy and livelihoods connected to the celebrations.

The announcement was immediately met with sharp criticism from the BJP, which has consistently opposed the practice. Senior BJP leader Rahul Sinha condemned the move as a misuse of public money. “This is a burden on taxpayers as the money is coming from the government exchequer. Why doesn’t Mamata Banerjee give the grant from the Trinamool fund or from her own pocket?” he questioned, accusing the Chief Minister of using the grant to woo Hindu voters.

In addition to the financial grant, the Chief Minister instructed the state administration to bolster infrastructure and public services during the festival period. This includes enhancing public announcement systems, increasing the frequency of buses, and coordinating with Metro and local train authorities to ensure seamless transport for the millions of revelers. The Durga Puja immersions are scheduled to take place from October 2 to 4, with police and administrative authorities tasked to manage law and order.