Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari at the meeting with Durga Puja organisers
Adhikari also asked private electricity provider CESC and state-owned WBSEDCL to provide free electricity to Durga Puja organisers; the waiver was 80% last year. The state administration would not organise any immersion carnival but there would be roadshows during the festival days, besides the Mahalaya programme at Eden Gardens the state announced a few days ago, he said.
CESC managing director Vineet Sikka later said the company would comply with the CM’s directive. Theme-based pujas would be allowed, the CM said, but committees must ensure their themes did not hurt or undermine Sanatani traditions and Bengal’s heritage and culture. The state tourism department would also organise a puja programme in Digha and six cities across Bengal would host two-day events after Mahalaya, Adhikari said, adding that four ghats in Kolkata would be dressed up for the festival. The administration would make special arrangements to facilitate puja visits for persons with disabilities and residents of old-age homes, Adhikari said, clarifying that the state would continue to award puja committees with prizes in categories like best idol, best pandal, best eco-friendly puja, best crowd management, best public turnout and best idol-maker/artist. Police and fire brigade personnel, state health and transport departments employees as well as those of urban local bodies who would be on duty during puja would get two days’ paid holiday after the festival, Adhikari said.
There would be a complete ban on DJ music during puja days as well as immersion, he added, urging organisers not to block National Highways. Only experts with knowledge about Durga Puja will be judges.
Kolkata: All Durga Puja pandals and themes should keep in mind and conform to the festival’s original significance and tradition, CM Suvendu Adhikari told organisers during a meeting on Monday while announcing several breaks from the celebration that Kolkata and Bengal had got used to seeing in the last few years.