West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Hikes Durga Puja Grant to ₹1.10 Lakh Ahead of 2026 Assembly Polls

Kolkata, July 31 (TNA) West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled for next year, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has made a major announcement for Durga Puja committees across the state. The state government will now provide ₹1.10 lakh as financial assistance to each Durga Puja committee—an increase of ₹25,000 from last year’s ₹85,000 grant.

In 2023, the CM had pledged ₹1 lakh for the upcoming year, but has now gone beyond the promise, adding ₹10,000 more. In a bid to support Puja organisers further, Mamata Banerjee has directed CESC and the State Electricity Distribution Board to offer an 80% rebate on electricity charges for the festivities.

She also announced that the grand Durga Puja Carnival will be held on October 5 in Kolkata. Idol immersions are scheduled to take place on October 2, 3, and 4, ahead of the carnival.

The announcement came during a meeting with Durga Puja organisers from across the state at Kolkata’s Netaji Indoor Stadium on Thursday. With preparations already underway for this year’s celebrations in September, the boost in support is being seen as a strategic and festive move.