Big announcements in Bengal ahead of Durga Puja include a grant cut, a ban on DJs, and the closure of liquor stores on Maha Ashtami.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Monday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal had slashed the grant for Durga Puja committees from ₹1.10 lakh given by the previous Mamata Banerjee-led government to ₹1 lakh this year. He also announced a complete ban on DJs during the celebrations and the closure of bars and liquor stores on Maha Ashtami.

Speaking to media during a meeting with Durga Puja committee representatives, Adhikari further declared that puja committees throughout the state would not be required to pay fees for fire safety clearances and that all electrical prices would be waived. The chief minister urged large-budget puja committees not to apply for the award, stating that the government would help committees in need of funding.

“I do not want to misuse the powers of the chief minister. I would request those who are capable (of organising pujas without government assistance) not to take the financial aid. Those who cannot organise the puja without this money will be given ₹1 lakh by the government, ” he said. Since the BJP swept to power in the eastern state earlier this year, this is the first Durga Puja season.

Adhikari also made fun of Banerjee, the former chief minister, who raised the state’s stipend for community pujas from ₹85,000 to ₹1.10 lakh in 2025. When the TMC launched the program in 2018, the sum was set at ₹10,000. “The manner in which the former chief minister announced grants for puja committees last year was similar to bargaining in a morning fish market,” he said. “This didn’t help (her) in the elections though.”

TMC leaders refused to comment on the development . Adhikari further declared that no Durga Puja inauguration will be permitted prior to Mahalaya, the start of the Devi Paksha, ahead of the festival next month. He stated that this year’s Durga Puja funfair will not be held by the government.

“Cranes won’t be used during to lift the idols during the immersion process as it hurts the sanctity of the idols and beliefs,” he said. “There will be a complete ban on DJs during the puja. All liquor shops and bars will remain closed on Maha Ashtami.”

Both the electricity expenses and the fees for puja committees to obtain a fire department license were waived by the government. Additionally, the CM urged the puja organisers to avoid selecting any themes for their pandals that would be detrimental to custom, culture, and holiness.

Adhikari, however, expressed regret for a government newspaper ad that included a depiction of Goddess Durga with eleven arms rather than the customary ten. The chief minister issued an apology for the commercial as the situation grew. “I apologise as the chief minister for the erroneous advertisement. The officials behind this have been warned. The state government will be more careful in future,” Adhikari said.