Kolkata . In the wake of agitating junior doctors again calling for ‘complete work stoppage’ ahead of Durga Puja in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said people wait for this festival the whole year. Mamata Banerjee participated in the community Durga Puja organized by West Bengal Government Minister Sujit Bose at Shribhoomi Sporting Club. On this occasion, he said that the annual assistance given by his government for various Durga Puja events is helpful for many such clubs which are not financially capable.
His comments come in the backdrop of several clubs rejecting financial assistance of Rs 85,000 following the ongoing protests over the alleged rape and murder of a female trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital in August. Banerjee said, “People of the state wait for Durga Puja celebrations throughout the year. Durga Puja marks the beginning of the festival season in Bengal. This is followed by Diwali, Kali Puja and Chhath Puja. This festive season lasts till Christmas in December.
The Supreme Court had on Monday remarked that doctors must perform essential duties including inpatient and outpatient services. A day after this, agitating junior doctors in West Bengal again observed a ‘complete work strike’ on Tuesday and demanded that the state government address various issues including the need to increase security in hospitals. The doctors’ governing body met overnight before announcing their decision to go on an indefinite and complete strike from Tuesday morning. Banerjee, during the first phase of the 42-day shutdown till September 20, had requested junior doctors to return to work, saying people wait for Durga Puja throughout the year.
“There are clubs that do not need the financial support given by the state government,” he said today. But there are many small clubs for whom this grant of Rs 85,000 is very useful, apart from this they are also being given exemption in electricity charges for organizing the event.” Showing unprecedented solidarity with the doctors’ protests, the entire Several Durga Puja committees, both small and big, in West Bengal have rejected the Rs 85,000 grant traditionally given by the state government for the festival, and have decided to abstain from organizing grand celebrations this year . Durga Puja festivities will begin on October 9 and will end on Vijaya Dashami on October 12.
