West Bengal Durga Puja administration and guidelines

In preparation for the Durga Puja festival, the West Bengal government under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has introduced several new policies and cultural initiatives. Early reports indicated that a pandal in Kolkata would be organized to depict the Chief Minister’s political journey, titled ‘Nandigram to Nabanna: Bubair Joyjatra’, using various artistic mediums. Concurrently, the administration considered adjusting financial grant policies to potentially limit assistance to smaller committees with budgets under 10 lakh rupees.

Following these developments, the Chief Minister announced a shift in how the festival is celebrated. The state will host a mega event at Eden Gardens featuring fireworks and drone shows, but the annual carnival established by the previous administration will not be held this year. Instead, the government will focus on cultural programs in six cities and a special program in Digha.

New regulations have also been implemented to maintain public order. These include a prohibition on DJs during puja and immersion processions, and the designation of Maha Ashtami as a complete dry day across the state, during which all liquor retail outlets and bars must remain closed.