In a first, West Bengal to see a complete liquor ban on Ashtami during Durga Puja, CM Suvendu Adhikari announces

The West Bengal government has made history by banning liquor completely on Ashtami during the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations. This new rule was announced by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Alcohol shops will be closed on this day, along with bars and restaurants serving liquor. The ban marks the start of two dry days during the festival.

Ashtami falls on October 19, with two previous dry days already established on Shashti and Navami. Adhikari addressed a coordination meeting with Durga Puja committees at Milan Mela Prangan in Kolkata, where he also announced financial support for local pujas and concessions for electricity and fire prevention bills. The government has appealed to big-budget pujas not to apply for the funds if not needed.

Concessions in electricity and fire prevention bills are being provided to the puja committees. The state government has also emphasized the importance of adhering to traditions during Durga Puja, prohibiting themes, idols, or decorations that may hurt worshippers' religious sentiments. The government-organized Durga Puja programme will take place at Eden Gardens on Mahalaya, featuring PM Narendra Modi's attendance and a four-hour event with drone and fireworks displays.

Immersions of idols, or visarjan, must occur before October 24, as 25 October is Lakshmi Puja in Bengal. Inaugurations of pujas are prohibited before the start of Devi Paksha. The use of disc jockeys or cranes during pujas or immersions has been banned. Unlike previous years, the Durga Puja carnival, featuring idol parades on Red Road, will be discontinued.

This announcement comes as West Bengal prepares for its first Durga Puja under a BJP government after three decades of Left and fifteen years of TMC rule.