Bengal government to spend more than Rs 350 crores as it hikes allowance to Durga Puja committees from Rs 70,000 to Rs 85,000 each.

While making the announcement at the Netaji Indoor stadium, the CM said while puja committees had asked for Rs 1 lakh, it was possible to give only Rs 85,000 this year. “This year, we got nothing in the Union Budget. We are a poor state. Next year, we will make it Rs 1 lakh,” she said.

According to government sources, the state has over 43,000 enlisted Durga Puja committees. The move is expected to cost the exchequer a total of Rs 350 crore.

The CM also announced 75 percent concession in electricity bills for committees this year in view of “the hike in electricity prices”. The government had offered a discount of 66 percent last year.

Guidelines for pandals were also announced.

“Every puja pandal should have more than one entry or exit gate. It will be better if all committees can arrange three or four entry and exit gates. All committees should have proper fire-fighting and traffic arrangements. Separate arrangements should be made for women, elderly people and people with disabilities,” she said, adding that committees should be looking out for any signs of possible stampedes.

The CM also announced that a puja carnival will be held at Indira Gandhi Sarani, also known as Red Road, in Central Kolkata on October 15 — the day before Lakshmi Puja.