Kolkata, 26 August (H.S.): Kolkata's Durga Puja committees are witnessing significant cuts in their budgets this year, particularly among organisers of high-budget pujas. The new government has instructed major puja committees to maintain proper records of their income and expenditure and has made it clear that unnecessary spending and financial irregularities in the name of Durga Puja will not be tolerated.

Over the past few years, the number of high-budget Durga Pujas in Kolkata had increased significantly. Several puja committees across North and South Kolkata saw their budgets rise from lakhs to crores of rupees. However, following the change in government, the scale and extravagance of several such pujas appear to be facing a check this year. In a number of committees, the management has changed and substantial cuts have reportedly been made to their budgets.

Puja pandals that used to attract massive crowds and often left little room for visitors are expected to witness relatively modest celebrations this year.

In previous years, several prominent puja committees in both North and South Kolkata had been associated with Trinamool Congress leaders, ministers or councillors. As a result, organisers reportedly faced fewer difficulties in securing sponsorships and other financial resources.

The newly formed puja committees have alleged that proper audits were not conducted for several puja events in previous years and that organisers were not always required to provide complete accounts of income and expenditure. This, they claim, led to substantial spending on pandal construction and decorations.

The situation is reportedly different this year. The new government has emphasised transparency in the organisation and financing of Durga Puja celebrations. The government has also stated that political influence should not overshadow the festival and that financial irregularities will not be accepted.

The new committees are accordingly making preparations under the revised approach. The changes are expected to have an impact on several well-known Durga Puja celebrations across Kolkata, with organisers likely to focus more on financial accountability and relatively restrained spending this year.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey