kolkata

Kolkata (August 25,2023) : The West Bengal government has announced a hike in grants for Durga Puja committees, but the move has been met with criticism from some quarters. Critics argue that the government is spending too much money on the festival, especially at a time when the state is facing an economic crisis. The government has increased the grant for large pujas from Rs. 25 lakh to Rs. 50 lakh, and for medium pujas from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh. It has also announced a waiver of electricity charges for pujas that are held for more than five days.

The decision has been welcomed by some puja committees, who say that the increased grant will help them to organize better pujas. However, others have questioned the need for such a large increase, especially when the state is facing a financial crunch.

They argue that the money could be better spent on other things, such as education or healthcare. The government has defended its decision, saying that Durga Puja is a major cultural event that brings people together. It also says that the grants will help to boost the economy by generating employment and income. The issue is likely to be debated in the coming days. It remains to be seen whether the government will be able to convince the critics of the wisdom of its decision.