In A First, West Bengal Government To Give Rs 5 Lakh Each To 60 Rath Yatra Committees
Kolkata, West Bengal: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday, July 13, announced several religious welfare schemes and benefits. He said his government would provide Rs 5 lakh each to 60 Rath Yatra committees in the state.
Rath Yatra organisers will get the cash for a grand celebration of the festival in the state on July 16. He also said that the state government has planned to set up Seva Kendras (service centres) in 75 Rath Yatra melas (fairs) across the state.
Notably, this is the first time a government sponsor the Rath Yatra festival after the BJP came to power in West Bengal. The chief minister made the announcement after convening a virtual meeting with district administration officials, police officers, and members of Rath Yatra.
Announcing the decision, the chief minister said that the Rath Yatras have been here for decades, and his government gives the amount to each organisers today. Other religious journeys including Kanwar yatris, Sravan, among others would also get assistance from the government.
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Suvendu also said that the ruling BJP government has set a provision in this year’s state budget for a “Tirtha Khetra Circut,” helping to develop and upgrade the historic temples, maths (spiritual centre) of the State.
