West Bengal announces Maha Ashtami liquor ban, no DJ music or carnival; Rs 1 lakh puja grant

 PTC Web Desk: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced a ban on the sale of alcohol across the state on Maha Ashtami during this year’s Durga Puja. All liquor shops and bars will remain closed on the day, which holds special religious significance for devotees.

Making the announcement while outlining arrangements for the upcoming festival, Adhikari said liquor sales would not be permitted on Maha Ashtami, when devotees traditionally offer floral tributes to Goddess Durga.

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Liquor shops, bars to remain closed on Maha Ashtami

Adhikari said the restriction would apply to both liquor shops and bars across West Bengal. “On the day of Maha Ashtami, when we pay floral tributes to the Goddess in this state, all liquor shops shall be closed, including bars,” he said.

The decision comes ahead of Durga Puja, one of Bengal’s biggest religious and cultural festivals. Thousands of community puja committees across the state are preparing for celebrations, cultural programmes and idol immersion processions.

Puja committees asked to respect religious sentiments

The Chief Minister also appealed to puja organisers to be careful while designing idols, pandals and themes. He urged committees not to make artistic changes that could distort traditional representations of Goddess Durga, hurt religious sentiments or undermine Bengal’s cultural and religious heritage.

Theme-based Durga Pujas have become increasingly popular, particularly in Kolkata, where elaborate pandals and creative concepts attract large crowds every year. Adhikari, however, stressed that innovation should not come at the expense of religious traditions.

No DJ music during immersion processions

Restrictions have also been announced for idol immersion processions. Adhikari said DJ music would not be permitted during the processions and urged puja committees to complete idol immersion before Lakshmi Puja. Lakshmi Puja will be observed on October 25 this year.

The government said the arrangements are aimed at keeping the festive period orderly and ensuring that immersion activities are completed ahead of the next major festival.

Rs 1 lakh assistance for puja committees

The Bengal government will provide Rs 1 lakh to eligible Durga Puja committees that need financial assistance to organise their celebrations.

The government will also provide free electricity during the festivities, with CESC agreeing to supply power without charge. Puja committees will additionally not have to pay the fee for the mandatory fire safety licence.

However, Adhikari appealed to financially strong committees and those organising large-budget pujas to stay away from the government grant if they can manage their expenses independently.

He recalled that community Pujas were traditionally funded through voluntary contributions, commonly known as chanda. According to him, organisers have increasingly become dependent on government support.

Adhikari said organising a decent puja could cost at least Rs 10 lakh and suggested that committees with bigger budgets could raise money through advertisements instead of seeking government assistance.

Bengal Durga Puja carnival discontinued

Adhikari also announced that the Bengal government’s Durga Puja carnival will not be held this year. The carnival, traditionally organised on Kolkata’s Red Road after Durga Puja, had become a major public attraction. Prominent Puja committees participated by displaying their idols before taking them for immersion in the Hooghly River.

The event was conceptualised during the tenure of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and became a recognised part of Kolkata’s post-puja celebrations.