Suvendu hints at only need-based govt support to Durga Puja committees

Business To Business, Kolkata, 12^th June, 2026:    Suvendu Adhikari on Friday indicated that the Durga Puja grant scheme introduced during the tenure of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may continue, but with a more targeted approach.
His remarks suggest a possible change in the administration of one of West Bengal's most closely watched welfare and cultural support programmes.
Addressing a press conference, Adhikari said no final decision had yet been taken regarding grants for this year's Durga Puja celebrations.
However, he indicated that the current government may move away from the earlier practice of providing financial assistance uniformly to all puja committees.
The Chief Minister suggested that assistance should be directed towards organisers that genuinely require support rather than being distributed irrespective of the financial position of individual committees.
Under the previous government, Durga Puja grants were extended to a large number of puja committees across the state as part of support for cultural and community celebrations.
Adhikari's comments point to a possible shift toward:

• Need-based financial assistance.
• Greater scrutiny of eligibility.
• More targeted allocation of public funds.
• Differentiation between financially strong and financially weaker committees.

• The festival's immense cultural importance.
• The large number of community pujas organized across the state.
• The significant public expenditure involved.
• Debates over welfare spending and cultural patronage.