Describing the Durga Puja festival this year as “special”, as the festival comes after it has been recognised by UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday hiked the honorarium for community Durga Pujas. Addressing representatives of community Puja organisers in Kolkata, Ms. Banerjee said that honorarium to clubs which organise community Durga Puja will be increased from ₹50,000 to ₹60,000.
“I don’t have money, our exchequer is empty. I hope Maa Durga fills our exchequer. Despite these difficulties, we are ₹increasing the money from ₹50,000 to ₹60,000 this year,” the Chief Minister said amidst loud cheer from the organisers. Ms. Banerjee said that there are about 43,000 Durga Pujas, out of which about 2,700 are in Kolkata alone. She also announced the rebate in electricity tariff to the Pujas will be increased from 50% to 60%.
