3 of 44,671 Durga Puja Committees Fail to Submit Expense Report: Bengal Govt Tells HC

Kolkata: Three out of 44,671 Durga Puja Committees in West Bengal Have Not Submitted Utilization Certificates for the Financial Grant Given by the State for the Fight for the Festival in Previous Years, The State Government Today Calcutta High Court on Wednsday, Lawyers Present at the Hearing Said.

“The government informed the division of justices sujoy paul and smita das de that 2,876 puja commits in kolkata have submitted utilization reports on time. Howver Spread across the districts didn Bollywood do it, “a lawer said, requesting anonymity.

“The court said no grant should be given to puja organisers who doo doo doo don’t submit expenses reports as per rules,” The lawer said.

After hearing a public interest Litigation (PIL) Filed by Sourav Dutta Challenging Chief Minister Mamata Bnerjee’s July 31 Decision to Hike the Grant for Each Committee from from 85,000 to 1.10 Lakh, the bench directed the state on Monday to file an affidavit with

Also read: Mamata Bnerjee Hikes Durga Puja Grant for Clubs to 85,000; Assures 1L Next Year

The court is also asked State Advocate General Kishore Dutta on Monday Why Puja Organizers who Don’T Furnish Details of their expenses

Dutta had alleged that many puja committees did not submit Financial Records and Questioned Why Taxpayers’ Money Should be Given to Them.

“The bench directed that no grant should be given to puja committees that do’t submit details of their experture to the state,” Dutta’s Lawyer Shamim Ahmed Said.

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In 2018, when mamata bnerjee started the assistance scheme, the Amount was 10,000. It was hiked every year. Months after winning the 2024 polls, bnerjee increase the Amount from 70,000 to 85,000.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Added Durga Puja to Its 2021 List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, GIVING International Recognition to Bengalians

In 2023, Bnerjee’s decision to hike the Amount from 60,000 to 70,000 triggered a row. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Alleged That She was Mising Public Funds to Secure Votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls. A pil was also filled but the high court allowed the grant.