Durga Puja Grant: Case Filed in High Court Over Puja Grant, What is the Future of the Grant?
Durga Puja Grant: Kolkata: Durga Puja is the biggest festival for Bengalis. The state government’s grant plays an important role in this festival. But this year, a new controversy has started over the Durga Puja grant for 2025. A public interest litigation has been filed in the Calcutta High Court challenging the state government’s decision to provide this grant. The case has been filed by lawyer Shamim Ahmed.
The Main Subject of the Case
The main issue of the case is the opposition to the government’s decision to provide a grant of ₹1,10,000 and other benefits to registered Durga Puja committees. According to the petitioner, it is not constitutionally valid to give away public tax money as grants for festivals in this manner. The question has been raised as to how reasonable such a large grant for a festival is when there is dissatisfaction among state government employees regarding their Dearness Allowance (DA).
History and Amount of the Grant
The state government started giving grants to Durga Puja committees in 2018. Initially, the amount was ₹10,000. Over time, it has increased to ₹1,10,000 this year. In addition to this, Puja committees are also given a concession on their electricity bills. The government argues that this grant not only helps in organizing the festival but also has a positive impact on the state’s economy.
Legal Battle and Possibility of Judicial Process
The hearing of this case is likely to begin in the division bench of Justice Sujoy Paul within this week. It is noteworthy that a case was filed regarding the Durga Puja grant before, and that case is still pending. According to court sources, the old case may also be heard along with the new one. Now, it remains to be seen what verdict the court will deliver on this matter. Everyone is waiting to see whether the state government will be able to stick to its decision to provide the grant, or if the grant will be stopped by the court’s order.
The verdict of this case will have a major impact on the future of Durga Puja. If the court orders to stop the grant, it will be difficult for many Puja committees to organize the festival on a large scale. On the other hand, if the court rules in favor of the government, it is expected that the trend of this grant will continue in the coming years. All in all, this legal battle over the Durga Puja grant has given rise to a new debate, and we will have to wait for its final verdict.
