CM Suvendu Adhikari inaugurates a Durga Puja in Murshidabad on Thursday
Highlighting Durga Puja’s growth, Adhikari said 13,000 new pujas had received permission since the change of govt, taking Bengal’s total from 45,000 last year to 58,000 this year. More than 800 new pujas have been approved in Murshidabad alone. Each committee receives a Rs 1 lakh grant, electricity charges have been waived and fire licences provided free.
He cited a BSF-police joint operation in Jalangi that seized 5,000 bottles of prohibited cough syrup and said cross-border crimes — illegal infiltration, cattle smuggling, and narcotics — had been “brought under control to a great extent” through BSF-police coordination, with border fencing progressing. Adhikari identified three social reform priorities: drug trafficking, child marriage and teenage pregnancy. Kolkata/Behrampore: CM Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday cautioned against attempts to disrupt Durga Puja festivities, asking police, administration and puja committees to remain on high alert during the festive season.