Siliguri, 17th September: Roadside vendors in Siliguri have alleged that they are being pressured to pay a fixed amount as Durga Puja donations, with the issue being brought to the attention of Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh.
The allegation has been raised against an old club in the Bidhan Road area of Siliguri. On Thursday, idol sellers approached Minister Shankar Ghosh at an event at Kanchenjunga Stadium and brought their concerns to his attention.
According to the vendors, the club has already written down a specific amount for Durga Puja donations. Although the money has not yet been collected, they alleged that they have been told to pay the amount that has been fixed.
The vendors said that sales have already declined in the market and that several idols have been damaged and melted due to continuous rain. They alleged that various clubs are demanding donations ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000, creating additional financial pressure for them.
Following the allegations, Minister Shankar Ghosh is learnt to have assured the vendors that he would look into the matter.
The club authorities, however, denied all the allegations. They claimed that they never force anyone to pay donations and that contributions are accepted according to the financial capacity of the vendors. They also said there was no question of collecting donations by intimidating anyone.
