Left seeks central funds for temple

The CPIM-led West Bengal government has asked for a central grant of Rs 11 crore for a 8216;8216;total8217;8217; development package for Dakshineshwar Kali Temple.

Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Ashok Bhattacharya has sent a deputy secretary-rank official to Delhi for the same and the minister doesn8217;t intend to stop at this. He has similar plans for other Kali temples, like the one at Kalighat. 8216;8216;These temples are of world fame, why can8217;t the Centre look after them?8217;8217; Bhattacharya said.

Though he wouldn8217;t give a straight reply as to why the non-believer Marxists are taking up the temples8217; cause, an insider says the party should have never remained aloof from such events of immense mass participation. Defending his efforts, Bhattacharya says: 8216;8216;These are important for us for different reasons 8212; these are tourist spots. So many people visit these places and they need proper upkeep.8217;8217;