Siliguri, 19th October: In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Haiderpara Sporting Club has prepared an open puja pandal as per the safety measures issued by the state government.
Reportedly, the club’s Durga Puja Committee has entered its 51st year. While every year, puja is organized at a grand cost of 25-30 lakh rupees, this year, the budget has been reduced to 2 lakh rupees.
Also, no prasad distribution will be carried out and no clothes will be distributed among the needy on behalf of the club authorities. Besides, only five to six people will be allowed to offer Ashtami Pushpanjali at a time.
Nimai Pal, joint secretary of the club, said that compared to every year, their budget for the festival has been reduced by 80 percent. He further stated that government guidelines are being followed keeping in mind the pandemic.