The honorarium will cost the state exchequer ₹258 crore; This year ‘special’ festival after recognition from the list of UNESCO
The honorarium will cost the state exchequer ₹258 crore; This year ‘special’ festival after recognition from the list of UNESCO
Describing this year’s Durga Puja festival as “special”, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the festival comes after being recognized by UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. Increased honorarium for Addressing the representatives of community puja organizers in Kolkata, Ms. Banerjee said that the honorarium of clubs organizing community Durga pujas would be increased from ₹50,000 to ₹60,000.
“I have no money, our treasury is empty. I hope Maa Durga will fill our treasury. Despite these difficulties, we are increasing the funds from ₹50,000 to ₹60,000 this year,” the chief minister said amidst fervent enthusiasm from the organisers. Ms Banerjee said there are around 43,000 Durga Pujas, of which around 2,700 are in Kolkata alone. He also announced that the exemption in electricity rates for worship would be increased from 50% to 60%.
Ms. Banerjee announced a holiday of 10 days from 30 September to 10 October on account of Durga Puja.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) government decided to give money to community Durga Puja clubs in 2018, with opposition parties, notably the Communist Party of India (Marxist), objecting to the decision. The matter was challenged in the Calcutta High Court, but since 2018 the honorarium has been increased from ₹10,000 to ₹60,000. This year, ₹258 crore is going to be spent on the state exchequer on the honorarium of the clubs.
The announcement of the honorarium hike was criticized by opposition parties, with the BJP calling the TMC government a government of “fairs and festivals”. BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said that roads are not being repaired in the state and there are no basic facilities in hospitals, but the state government is increasing the honorarium of worship committees.
During the day, a group of government employees filed a contempt petition against the chief secretary of the state for not complying with an order of the Calcutta High Court, seeking withdrawal of DA (Dearness Allowance) to state government employees. was instructed. The state government filed a review petition of the order in August 2022.
celebration of recognition
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister urged the organizers to organize a grand rally on September 1 to celebrate the recognition of Durga Puja by UNESCO. He said that UNESCO representatives will be present in this program. “This year, Durga Puja is special. We have to start preparing early. A large number of foreign visitors will come this year.
Ms Banerjee said the rally would start from Jorasanko Thakurbari, the birthplace of Rabindranath Tagore. It was in December 2021 that Durga Puja in Kolkata, one of the country’s largest cultural carnival and street art festivals, made it to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.