The West Bengal government will provide financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to 60 Rath Yatra committees across the state ahead of this year's car festival on July 16, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Monday.
He said the initiative was aimed at preserving the state's religious heritage.

So many Rath Yatra celebrations are organised in the city every year. Earlier, the state government's role during Rath Yatra was largely confined to deploying a few traffic police personnel. Our government has decided to participate actively in this year''s Rath Yatra, guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of ''Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi''. The government has decided to provide a grant of Rs 5 lakh each to 60 prestigious Rath Yatra committees. We will also set up ''seva kendra'' (service centres) at 75 traditional Rath Yatra fairs across the state to help the pilgrims visiting these places," Adhikari said.