Maharashtra Govt accords ‘state status’ to Ganeshotsav
While the Maharashtra government has accorded a ‘state festival’ status to ‘Ganeshotsav’, however, as per a coordination committee of the public Ganesh mandals, it would have been better had their suggestions also been considered.
The 10-day Ganesh festival begins from August 27.
The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Samanvay Samiti, which has been overseeing the festival in the metropolis for the last 44 years in coordination with the civic body, police and traffic department, has 12,000 public mandals registered with it.
Talking to a News Agency, Naresh Dahibavkar, Samiti President, claims that the ₹11 crore allocation to the state festival wasn’t enough.
Adding that the mandals work all through the year and contribute to the society whenever there is a crisis. Had the Government involved them in this decision, it would have been better if the government had it would have been an encouragement to work more for the society.
Dahibavkar felt the mandals, which are more than 25 years’ old, should have been taken on board.
The mandals work round-the-clock and not just for the Ganesh festival. They run libraries and social and financial aid is provided to the needy.
If assistance is given to them, they can do their social work with more vigour, Dahibavkar added.
According to the Government, nearly 1,800 ‘bhajani mandals’ (devotional music troupes) will be given an assistance of ₹25,000.
Further adding that what are the norms to select around 1,700 mandals and are they registered? A bhajani mandal will exist if there is a Ganpati mandal,.
Continuing Dahibavkar said their organisation has over the years worked to ensure Mumbai remains free from religious tensions during the festivities.
‘And that Members of all religions participate in the preparations (of Ganesh festival). The tarpaulin used to set up mandaps is supplied by Muslims.
He further said a large Ganesh mandal’s turnover is between ₹50 lakh to ₹30 crore.
He went on to point it out that a mandal has to spend at least ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore (on organising the festival) and earns income from donations and advertisements. The revenue depends on the prevailing circumstances, suppose if it rains, the inflow of devotees for all ten days may be less
The government also gets revenue in the form of GST and other taxes during the festival, he added.
Dahibavkar said Anant Chaturdashi (last day of Ganesh festival) used to be declared a holiday every year in Maharashtra. But this year, since it falls on a Saturday, that holiday for government employees has been given on the seventh day of the festival, he noted.
The non-government employees will be working on Anant Chaturdashi and it may cause traffic issues during the immersion processions, he added.
Meanwhile, the government has announced multiple activities, including various programmes, celebrations and competitions, during the festival.
As part of these initiatives, a special portal — ganeshotsav.pldmka.co.in — has been created to ensure people can witness the grandeur of both household and public festivities.
News Edit KV Raman
