Kolkata, 12 June (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday clarified his government's position on Durga Puja grants, stating that financial assistance for community pujas will continue, but only for committees that genuinely require support.

The announcement came amid speculation over the future of the annual grant scheme after the new government discontinued several allowances and benefits that, according to it, were distributed on religious grounds during the previous administration.

Addressing an event in New Town, Adhikari said, “Those who organise Durga Puja depending on this financial support will continue to receive the grant. Those who do not need it will not receive it.”

His remarks indicate that financially strong and high-budget puja committees may no longer be eligible for government assistance, while smaller and resource-constrained organisers will continue to benefit from the scheme.

The issue had generated considerable discussion among club organisers and puja committees across the state, with many wondering whether the annual Durga Puja grants introduced during the tenure of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would be discontinued altogether under the new government.

During the previous administration, financial assistance for Durga Puja committees was increased over the years. In 2025, the state government provided grants of ₹1.10 lakh to each eligible puja committee, resulting in a substantial expenditure from the state exchequer.

The policy had also faced criticism from some quarters, particularly regarding the allocation of public funds to large and well-funded puja committees whose festival budgets often run into several crores of rupees.

With Friday’s announcement, the state government has signalled a shift toward a need-based approach, under which financial assistance will be targeted at smaller committees that rely on government support to organise community Durga Pujas.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh