Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is considering extending financial assistance to Durga Puja committees that have been organizing the Dussehra festival for several decades across the state.
The Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department has directed all district Collectors to furnish details of Puja committees that have been holding Dussehra celebrations for 50 years or more.
In a letter to Collectors, Department Secretary Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya stated that the government plans to provide support to such long-standing committees, based on specific criteria that will be finalized soon.
Where districts do not have Puja committees with a 50-year history, Collectors have been asked to submit information about the two oldest committees in their jurisdiction. The required details are to be sent within two days.
The initiative is aimed at recognizing and supporting the cultural heritage preserved by these age-old Durga Puja committees across Odisha.