Mamata hikes Durga Puja grant to Rs 1.10 lakh, waives tax & govt fees

“Durga Puja is not just a religious celebration. It is the lifeline of Bengal’s cultural identity, our praner utsab (soul festival). We are proud that UNESCO has recognised this. It’s our collective responsibility to preserve that glory,” the chief minister said, referring to UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage tag given to the Durga Puja festivities in the state in 2021.

“This year, no fees will be charged by the fire brigade, civic bodies, or any other state-run service provider. We are standing by you so that you can organise the Puja without financial stress,” Banerjee said.

The Rs 25,000 hike of Puja grant – from last year’s Rs 85,000 to this year’s Rs 1.10 lakh – will cost the state exchequer Rs 500 crore, an official in the state secretariat said. Last year, the state government distributed more than Rs 350 crore as grant to the Puja committees.

Recalling how the grant has been gradually increased – Rs 10,000 in 2018; Rs 25,000 in 2019; Rs 50,000 in 2020 during the pandemic; Rs 75,000 in 2023; and Rs 85,000 in 2024 — the chief minister took a dig at the Opposition BJP and some civil society groups, which opposed the practice of disbursing public funds for religious festivities. “Some even went to court saying Mamata ji doesn’t allow Durga Puja or Saraswati Puja. And yet, when we organise coordination meetings and support these festivals, they object,” she said, adding that 45,000 pujas are held across West Bengal, with around 3,000 of them in Kolkata alone.

She also announced that this year’s Durga Puja Carnival, held after the Pujas, will be organised on October 5, with immersion scheduled between October 2 and 4.

Underscoring the need for a safe and inclusive Puja experience, the chief minister issued a detailed set of guidelines – Puja committees must ensure CCTV surveillance, drone monitoring, watchtowers, women-friendly arrangements, and separate entry and exit points at pandals. “I urge all organisers to keep ambulances ready, maintain crowd control, ensure proper lighting at immersion ghats, and avoid any mishaps,” she said..

Banerjee said 300 ambulances, procured from her MPLAD fund, may also be used for the purpose.

She also asked Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police to work in perfect coordination, and advised the Metro Railway and transport department to run additional services during the festive days.

She also urged Puja committees to extend a hand to returning migrant workers. “Many of them are coming back home after facing torture and hardship. Let’s stand by them, show solidarity during this festive time,” she said.

The Opposition, however, called the move a “politically motivated handout”.

“Why stop at Rs 1.10 lakh? Make it Rs 2.10 lakh! It won’t change anything. First, clear pending dearness allowance dues to government employees and fill up the six lakh vacant government posts,” a state BJP leader said.

“Wait and watch, next she will raise the Imam and Muezzin honorarium too,” he said.

Leader of Opposition in Assembly Suvendu Adhikari and others in the BJP alleged that the move was aimed at “buying favour” from thousands of local clubs and community organisers ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls.

With PTI