Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari announces ₹5 lakh grant for each of 60 Rath Yatra committees in West Bengal
West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari announced on Monday that the state government will provide ₹5 lakh each to 60 Rath Yatra committees. The announcement was made during an event, with Adhikari noting that the committees have been organising the festival for decades.
“In the first year, if there is any error in making the list, forgive us. Let the administration know; we will make an error-free list in the coming years,” Adhikari said.
Adhikari, a senior BJP leader, also detailed other religious welfare measures. He said that Kanwar yatris, who undertake a religious journey during the monsoon month of Shravan, will be provided with service camps every 5 kilometres. These camps will include police help, refreshments, and medical facilities.
“We are doing work worth ₹15 crores at the Tarakeshwar Dham,” Adhikari added.
He further stated that the state budget for 2026 includes a provision for a “Tirtha Khetra Circuit” aimed at developing and upgrading historic temples and maths, such as the Kiriteswari Shaktipeeth Temple in Murshidabad district. ₹1,000 crore has been sanctioned for this work over the next two years.
“The ancient temples which have heritage and history, we have taken the initiative to revive and redevelop them to their former glory and bring them under the heritage umbrella,” Adhikari said.
The announcement comes after Adhikari had earlier criticised the previous Trinamool Congress government for providing financial support to over 45,000 Durga Puja committees while outstanding Dearness Allowance arrears of state government employees remained unpaid. BJP leader Agnimitra Paul had also termed the previous government’s decision as “politics of religion” and accused it of ignoring development.
In June 2026, Adhikari had indicated that the current government might continue financial support for Durga Pujas but on a need-based basis, potentially excluding big-budget pujas.
