In a very generous festival gift, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday announced a grant of Rs 10,000 each to 28,000 Durga Puja committees across the state for community development programmes.
Of the 28,000 Pujas, 3,000 are held in Kolkata, the rest in the districts. The total expenditure for 28,000 Pujas in the state will be Rs. 28 crore.
At a meeting with representatives of Durga Puja organising committees in Kolkata on Monday, Banerjee also announced plans for the second edition of the 'Bishorjon Carnival'.
Banerjee also announced plans for the second edition of the ''Bishorjon Carnival' at Red Road on October 23. Last year, 55 clubs participated, this year, 75 clubs will participate," she said.
"Durga Pujo immersions will be held from October 19 to 22. We will organise Durga Pujo Bishorjon Carnival at Red Road on October 23 at 4 PM. Last year, 55 clubs participated, this year, 75 clubs will participate," she said.
Last year, because Bishorjon or the date for immersion of the idols coincided with Muharram, the immersion had been stopped on one day - something for which Mamata Banerjee had been criticised, again for minority appeasement.
Reacting on the issue, Banerjee said; "do not pay heed to inciting propaganda. One communal political party wants to polarise people on religious lines".
"Some people make tall claims. Can they organise Bakr-Eid and Durga Puja at the same time? No. Last year we had to stop Bishorjon for one day because of Muharram, and because of that a lot of propaganda was carried out on social media.
Banerjee has penned a song on the theme 'Jaago Durga' for the Pujas which begin on October 16 this year.
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