Calcutta HC seeks justification from state for doling out Rs 50,000 to puja committees | Kolkata - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Calcutta HC seeks justification from state for doling out Rs 50,000 to puja committees

Kolkata | ByPress Trust of India | Posted by Nilavro Ghosh
Oct 15, 2020 05:26 PM IST

The court also asked whether any blueprint for crowd control during Durga Puja -- which is barely a week away -- have been prepared by the government to prevent the spread of the viral disease.

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday sought to know from the West Bengal government its justification for doling out Rs 50,000 to community Durga pujas, amid the austerity measures being pursued by the state in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Calcutta HC seeks justification from state for Rs 50000 grant to community pujas(File Photo)
Calcutta HC seeks justification from state for Rs 50000 grant to community pujas(File Photo)

Hearing a petition challenging the government’s decision to disburse the money to community Durga pujas, a division bench comprising justices Sanjib Banerjee and Arijit Banerjee also enquired if financial aid was being given for other festivals, such as Eid.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

It further asked the state whether any guideline has been laid down for such expenditure as it is public money that is being doled out as grant to the puja organisers.

The state government, on its part, told the court that grant was meant for raising public awareness on Covid-19 control, purchase of sanitisers and masks.

Asserting that accounts of expenditure have to be well maintained, the bench suggested that Advocate General Kishore Dutta, who represents the state, and senior counsel Bikash Bhattacharya, appearing for the petitioner, hold a conference on all such matters, and inform the court of its outcome on Friday, when the case would be taken up for hearing again.

The court also asked whether any blueprint for crowd control during Durga Puja -- which is barely a week away -- have been prepared by the government to prevent the spread of the viral disease.

The petition, challenging the grant of Rs 50,000 and other benefits -- such as discounts on application fees for permissions from Fire Brigade and electric supply boards -- to thousands of community Durga Pujas, was filed by Sourav Dutta, a Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) leader.

Dutta claimed that the government’s decision was not in tune with the concept of secularism in India, and hurts the fundamental rights provided in the Constitution.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on September 24 announced the Rs 50000 grant, among other doles, for each of the state’s puja committees.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On