THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Kolkata, June 12: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday indicated that the state’s Durga Puja grant scheme may continue under the BJP government, but financial assistance could be limited to organisers that genuinely require support.
Addressing a press conference, Adhikari said no final decision has yet been taken regarding this year’s grants. However, he suggested that the government is unlikely to follow the previous system of providing uniform assistance to all Durga Puja committees, irrespective of their financial strength.
“Those who do not need government money need not be given grants. The government will stand by those who cannot organise Durga Puja without financial support,” Adhikari said.
Possible Shift in Major Cultural Welfare Scheme
The remarks signal a potential policy shift in one of West Bengal’s most prominent cultural assistance programmes.
The Durga Puja grant scheme was introduced by the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government in 2018 with financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per committee. The amount was gradually increased over the years and reached Rs 1.10 lakh per committee last year.
The previous government had also extended an 80 per cent rebate on electricity charges for Durga Puja organisers.
With nearly 44,000 committees receiving assistance last year, the scheme evolved into a major fiscal commitment and a significant political outreach initiative.
Focus on Financial Need
Adhikari said the government would consider extending support to organisers who depend on such assistance to conduct Durga Puja celebrations.
“Those who organise pujas based on that financial assistance will receive support. Those who do not require it need not be given it,” he said.
The Chief Minister, however, clarified that no formal decision has been taken so far.
“We have not started discussions on this issue yet. The Information and Cultural Affairs Department is with me. There is a minister of state. We will certainly discuss the matter,” he added.
Debate Over Equal Grants
The grant scheme has long attracted debate over whether large, corporate-backed Durga Puja committees with multi-crore budgets should receive the same level of government support as smaller neighbourhood pujas that rely on local contributions.
Supporters of the scheme have described it as recognition of Bengal’s biggest cultural festival, while critics have often termed it a form of political patronage.
Political Significance
Durga Puja remains one of West Bengal’s most important cultural and social events and has increasingly become part of the state’s political discourse.
The grants, introduced in 2018, were projected by the previous government as support for a festival central to Bengal’s cultural identity. The festival also enjoys UNESCO recognition for its cultural significance.
Following the change in government, there has been speculation over whether religion-linked welfare initiatives introduced by the previous administration would continue.
Adhikari’s latest remarks are expected to reassure smaller puja organisers while indicating that affluent clubs may no longer automatically qualify for government assistance.
No Final Decision Yet
While the future framework of the grant scheme remains under consideration, the Chief Minister’s comments suggest that the government may move towards a selective, need-based model rather than a universal grant system for all Durga Puja committees.