No grants will be provided without submitting expenditure accounts or a ‘Utilization Certificate’. The Kolkata High Court made this clear on Wednesday. Once again, Durga Puja committees have taken the matter of grants to court. The allegation is that there is no accounting for how the money is being spent. After the hearing, the bench of Justice Sujoy Pal and Justice Smita Das directed that grants will only be issued upon submission of expenditure accounts.

A case regarding grants to Durga Puja committees has been filed in the High Court (Kolkata High Court). In a previous hearing, Justice Sujoy Pal’s division bench directed the state to provide all related information via an affidavit. During Wednesday’s hearing, the court did not stop the grants. However, the bench of Justice Sujoy Pal and Justice Smita Das has set a condition. The court’s order states that only those committees that have submitted their expenditure accounts will receive the funds. Committees that have not provided a ‘Utilization Certificate’ cannot be paid. The court further stated that, following previous orders, puja committees must once again submit Utilization Certificates. These certificates must be submitted within a specified timeframe.

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How many puja committees receive government grants? The state informed the court via affidavit that last year, 2,876 puja committees within the Kolkata Police area received grants. Every puja committee in the city submitted their expenditure accounts or ‘Utilization Certificate’ on time. 41,799 checks were prepared by the district police. Out of these, 41,795 puja committees accepted this grant. 41,792 puja committees submitted their expenditure accounts. Three puja committees in Siliguri did not submit their ‘Utilization Certificate’.

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In previous hearings, the Advocate General, representing the state, had stated that the Chief Minister announces grants in the public interest, and a case is filed every year. After the puja, the case holds no value. He had demanded the case be dismissed. However, the court ordered an affidavit to be submitted.

It is notable that in 2019, the state announced grants of ₹25,000 each for Durga Puja committees. In 2020, it was announced that the grant amount would be increased to ₹50,000 each. This year, the grant has been increased to ₹1,10,000. A case was filed this year as well to stop these grants, but it did not succeed.

Kolkata High Court

The Kolkata High Court is one of India’s oldest high courts, established in 1862 during the British colonial era. It is renowned for its distinctive Gothic-style architecture, modeled after the Cloth Hall in Ypres, Belgium. The court has played a significant role in India’s judicial history, including presiding over landmark cases during the nation’s struggle for independence.

Durga Puja

Durga Puja is a major annual Hindu festival originating in the Indian subcontinent, which celebrates the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon king Mahishasura. While its roots are in ancient religious texts, the modern, large-scale public festival is historically tied to the 18th-century, when wealthy landowners in Bengal began organizing community celebrations. Today, it is most famously observed in West Bengal, India, and Bangladesh, and is renowned for its elaborate artistic pandals (temporary structures), idol worship, and cultural festivities.

Sujoy Pal

I am unable to provide a summary for “Sujoy Pal” as it does not appear to be a recognized place or cultural site. It is most likely the name of an individual. For a proper summary, please provide the name of a specific landmark, city, or cultural destination.

Smita Das

I am unable to provide a summary for “Smita Das,” as it does not appear to refer to a recognized place or cultural site. It is most commonly a personal name, particularly of a renowned Indian actress, Smita Patil.

Advocate General

“Advocate General” is not a physical place but a high-ranking legal office, most notably in the Court of Justice of the European Union. The position was established with the court’s founding in 1952 to provide independent legal opinions on cases before judgments are made. An Advocate General’s role is to assist the court by delivering impartial conclusions on how the law should be interpreted and applied.

Chief Minister

“Chief Minister” is not a place or cultural site, but a political title used in various countries. It typically refers to the elected head of government of a state or province within a larger federal union, such as in India, Malaysia, or Australia. The role and its history are tied to the development of regional governance and power-sharing within those nations’ political systems.

Kolkata Police

The Kolkata Police is one of India’s oldest police forces, established in 1856 during the British colonial era. It is responsible for maintaining law and order in the city of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) and is known for its distinctive white and khaki uniforms and historic headquarters at Lalbazar.

Siliguri

Siliguri is a strategically located city in the Indian state of West Bengal, serving as a major commercial, transportation, and tourism hub for Northeastern India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Its modern significance grew with the arrival of the railway in the late 19th century and the construction of the vital Sevoke Road Bridge in the 1930s.