Calcutta High Court Halts Grant Of Funds To Durga Puja Clubs Which Failed To Submit Report On Utilisation Of Funds

The Calcutta High Court has directed the state government to stop the grant of funds given to organise Durga Puja celebrations to clubs which failed to submit a certificate on utilisation of such funds granted in the previous year, as had been sought by the court.

A division bench of Justices Sujoy Paul and Smita Das De passed the order.

On an earlier occassion, the court had sought for the records of utilisation of funds given by the state to the clubs who were tasked with organising Durga puja celebrations in localities across the state.

During today's hearing, the court was told by the Advocate General that out of more than 41,000 clubs that had received such funds across the state, only three had failed to submit the utilisation reports.

"Don't give money to those who have not submitted the certificates," the court orally remarked.

The court further directed that the utilisation reports for this year's funds shall also be submitted to the state after the conclusion of festivities.

A detailed order is awaited.