WB govt donations to Durga puja clubs only for Covid prevention: HC

October 16, 2020 15:52

The Calcutta High Court in its interim order says money donated by the West Bengal Govt to each Durga Puja club should be used for improving police and public bonding, and procuring masks, sanitizers and face shields. This money cannot be used for any other entertainment purposes, it states.

The order comes after public interest litigation (PIL) was filed by Sourav Dutta, a CITU activist asking for a stay on the state government's grant of Rs 50,000 to the puja committees.

A Division Bench of Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Arijit Banerjee of Calcutta High Court today asked whether apart from Durga puja, such grants are given by the government in other religious festivals too. The Division Bench asked the state counsel that though it is proud of Durga puja but can funds be disbursed in this manner. The court pointed out that the reason for such funds was enunciated as aiding committees to buy masks and sanitisers, however, it observed, the state could have purchased it which would have cost less.

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