: In a first, the state government has decided to provide financial assistance of over `7 crore to various Durga Puja committees across Odisha.

For the purpose of financial assistance, the committees have been categorised into three groups: ‘A’, Heritage Durga Puja Committees, ‘B’, 75-year-old Durga Puja Committees and ‘C’, 50-year-old Durga Puja Committees.

According to a statement issued by the Odia Language, Literature and Culture department, 1,085 Durga Puja committees across the state will receive Rs 7,01,40,000 as financial assistance. While 215 ‘A’ category committees will receive a total of Rs 2,17,15,000, 197 ‘B’ category committees will get Rs 1,47,75,000.

“A total of 673 ‘C’ category committees will be provided Rs 3,36,50,000 as assistance for Durga Puja,” it said.

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