West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been giving money to over 40,000 clubs which organise Durga Puja in the state for five days. The CM has declared 10-day holiday for the staff, and that the puja will begin on September 30, a day ahead of schedule.
This year, the Banerjee government has increased the allocation to clubs by Rs 10,000 - each club will get a total of Rs 60,000. It will cost the public exchequer Rs 258 crore.
A public interest litigation has been filed with the Calcutta High Court on whether a secular government can use the public's money to pay for a particular religion’s celebration.
Though the idea of such doles might be termed “madness” by some, there's no denying that there is an economic perspective to it. Each year, more than 2 crore workers in the state would get a direct income, and more than 5 crore indirect income, thanks to Durga Puja festivities.
With the Covid-19-induced lockdown and the economic downsizing, Durga Puja suffered. There were no subscribers for the club festivities – corporate or otherwise.
With the state government infusing money into the system, there would be job for around 7 crore workers, like idols makers, pandal makers, cloth merchants, farmers and confectioners. Also, there will be less pressure on the public to dole out hefty subscriptions for the puja organised by the clubs.
These would, in turn, enhance the income of the state government, too.
There are also questions on the free electricity given to the puja committees. But, with factories closed during the festival, there would be a shortage of demand in the state, and electricity cannot be saved. With no buyers except Bangladesh, which gets a major share from Tripura, the excess electricity is saved from wastage by giving it to the puja committees.
It's a win-win for Banerjee, who can use this against those who accuse her of appeasement of a particular community. And, even if Calcutta High Court strikes it down, she would score political brownie points.
