Suvendu Adhikari announced that financial assistance would be provided primarily to clubs that rely on government grants to organize the Puja. Conversely, large clubs possessing their own funds and sponsorships—and thus having no need for grants—will not receive government money.
Government grants for Durga Puja were first introduced in 2018. At that time, each Puja committee was given ₹10,000. Subsequently, the grant amount was increased in stages, reaching ₹1.10 lakh by 2025. Consequently, government expenditure in this sector rose significantly. Questions had previously been raised regarding the justification of providing government financial aid to high-budget Puja organizers. Some critics argued that instead of granting government funds to organizers with budgets running into crores, the money could be utilized for other social sectors.
The new government's stance points toward a different resolution to that debate. According to the Chief Minister, priority will be given to financially weaker and local-level Puja committees, ensuring they receive the necessary support to organize the festival.
At the same time, Suvendu Adhikari asserted that the new policy could lead to an increase in the number of Durga Pujas across the state, as organizers with genuine needs will benefit directly and government assistance will become more targeted. All in all, while the Durga Puja grant system remains, its nature is set to change. Puja organizers and the people of the state will be keeping a close watch on the impact this new policy for distributing government aid—based on the clubs' financial capacity and needs—will have in the future.