Debt-ridden Mamata Banerjee govt 'gifts' Rs 28 crore to West Bengal Durga Puja organisers

At a time when West Bengal is reeling under a debt burden, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday announced a Durga Puja gift to the organisers that would cost the state exchequer as much as Rs 28 crore.

3,000 Durga Pujas are organized in Kolkata, while the rest of Bengal witnesses over 25,000 Durga Pujas pandals in the state. Each of these 28,000 Durga Puja committees would be 'gifted' with Rs 10,000.

“Kolkata Municipal Corporation and State Emergency and Fire Services Department together will give 10,000 to each of the Durga puja committee in Kolkata. This money will be handed over Kolkata Police. In districts, Department of Tourism, Department of Consumer Affairs and Department of Self Help Groups along with the West Bengal Police will give 10,000 to each Durga puja committee. There are some naughty people, who will offer money, do not take it from them,” said Banerjee at the Durga puja coordination meeting held on Monday.

This apart, she also announced that the Durga Puja committees will no longer have to pay the fees to the Fire and Emergency Services Department to obtain licences.

The Chief Minister’s move has been criticised by the financial experts as the state has a total debt burden of Rs 3.64 lakh crore, which is projected to go up to Rs 3.94 lakh crore in the current fiscal.

The Mamata Banerjee government inherited a debt of around Rs 2 lakh crore from the Left Front government when it came to power back in 2011. However, the Chief Minister and state finance minister Amit Mitra have been raising the issue of a waiver of the debt time and again with the Centre.  

“What is more shocking is that, the funds from which the money will be gifted to the Durga Puja committees in Kolkata. Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Fire and Emergency Services Department have been asked to shell out the money. Kolkata Municipal Corporation is responsible for the repairs, construction of roads, ensure water supply in the wards, lighting and provide basic facilities to people living in the local wards will have to shell out Rs.1.5 crore. Fire and Emergency Services Department which could have upgraded to better gear for the fire fighting personnel and to state of art equipment, will have to shell out 1.5 crore each,” said a financial expert requesting anonymity.