The Kolkata High Court has clarified that Durga Puja committees will only receive grants if they submit accurate accounts of the previous year's grant. Committees that fail to provide accounts will not receive any grant.
Kolkata: A division bench of the High Court issued an important order on Wednesday regarding government grants to Durga Puja committees. The court has made it clear that clubs that do not provide an account of the previous year's grant will not receive this year's grant. This step has been taken to ensure transparency and accountability in the clubs.
The bench of Justice Sujoy Pal and Justice Smita Das De said that government grants cannot be used without proof and accountability. The court has given the clubs one month to submit proof of their previous year's grant, based on which the new year's grant can be released.
Durga Puja Clubs' Grants and New Figures Released
The state government informed the court that a total of 2,876 Durga Puja clubs were given grants in 2024. These clubs submitted certificates for the use of government funds. According to the figures, 4,795 Puja committees received grants, and 4,792 clubs submitted their certificates on time.
Last year, the grant per Puja committee was ₹85,000, which has been increased to ₹1,10,000 this year. In addition, electricity bills have also been waived. However, new clubs have not been included in this year's calculation; only those clubs that received a grant last year must provide an account of their old grant.
Order to Ensure Proper Use of Grants
The division bench clearly stated that no government grant will be released without accounts. The court also said that the grants of clubs that have not submitted accounts for the previous year will be reconsidered, and their grants will be withheld if necessary.
The court summoned an affidavit within 48 hours and pronounced its decision on the same day. This order of the court ensures that government grants are used in the right direction and that there are no irregularities of any kind.
Political and Social Reactions to Durga Puja Grants
BJP councilor and founder of city Puja committees, Sajal Ghosh, reacted to the order and said, "No secular state should spend government money on sports, fairs, Durga Puja, or religious prayers. The government should ensure the development and security of the people with tax money."
After this order, discussions have intensified in the city's Durga Puja committees and local political parties. This could be particularly challenging for those clubs that did not provide any proof of their expenses last year.
