Bengal govt to give Rs 5 lakh each to 60 Rath Yatra committees

The West Bengal government announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each for 60 Rath Yatra committees and the establishment of 75 seva kendras to assist devotees, alongside similar facilities for pilgrims during the upcoming Shravan Mela across the state

Kolkata: The West Bengal government will provide financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to 60 Rath Yatra committees across the state ahead of this year’s car festival on July 16, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Monday.

“So many Rath Yatra celebrations are organised in the city every year. But the previous government discharged its responsibility merely by deploying police personnel. But our government has decided to participate in it. The government has decided to provide a grant of Rs 5 lakh each to 60 prestigious Rath Yatra committees. We will also set up ‘seva kendra’ (service centres) at 75 traditional Rath Yatra fairs across the state to help the pilgrims visiting these places,” Adhikari said.

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The CM was addressing a coordination meeting at the state secretariat to review preparations for the annual Rath Yatra. The ‘seva kendras’ would provide essential assistance to devotees visiting the fairs during the festival, he said.

Talking further about the ‘Shravan Mela’, Adhikari also announced that similar kendras would be set up at regular intervals along routes used by pilgrims during the upcoming festival.

“Seva Kendras will also be set up at fixed intervals along the routes during the Shravan Mela so that people carrying holy water on their shoulders can avail themselves of necessary services whenever required,” he said.

Monday’s coordination meeting was convened to review arrangements ahead of the Rath Yatra, which will be observed on July 16. Adhikari further alleged that the earlier administration had not put in place adequate arrangements for devotees participating in the festivals.