Yogi allows Durga Puja celebrations in UP.

Yogi Adityanath govt allows Durga Puja celebrations in Uttar Pradesh with strict adherence to Covid 19 restrictions.

Ramprasad Tiwari | HENB | Lucknow | Oct 2, 2020:: After a row with Puja protagonists, the Yogi Adityanath government has allowed Durga Puja celebrations in Uttar Pradesh. Earlier, the BJP-led administration had denied permission for Durga Puja pandals across the state due to the coronavirus pandemic.

While giving the nod for public celebrations, guidelines related to COVID-19 protocols have been issued by the UP government for Durga Puja. The committees organising the puja have been asked to ensure social distancing inside the pandals. The persons wishing to visit the puja pandals shall follow all COVID-19 protocols of social distancing, mask use and sanitisation.

The Uttar Pradesh administration allowed Durga Puja celebrations after the ministry of home affairs issued Unlock 5 guidelines. As per the guidelines, Social, academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious, political functions and other congregations have already been permitted with a ceiling of 100 persons, outside Containment Zones only. Importantly, state/ UT Governments have been given the flexibility to permit such gatherings beyond the limit of 100 persons, outside Containment zones, after October 15, 2020, which will be subject to the following conditions:

Expressing happiness over the order, several Durga Puja committees across the state have thanked the chief minister and also started preparations to hold the annual extravaganza.

“We spent the entire Thursday night, drawing up plans for the Durga Puja celebrations because we have less than a fortnight to go. We are thankful to the Chief Minister for allowing us to hold the Durga Puja celebrations,” IANS quoted Anand Banerjee of a Durga Puja committee in Jankipuram area.

Earlier, the BJP government in the state had allowed Ramlila events but with certain restrictions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As per the guidelines, an attendance cap of 100 persons should be followed in a particular event.

While the Durgapuja celebration was barred by the Yogi administration, there was a inner discontentment in the BJP as part’s Rajya Sabha member Swapan Dasgupta tweeted Yogi to allow Durga Puja and Lok Sabha MP of Balurghat (WB), Sukanta Majumber wrote to Yogi to reconsider to lift the ban on Durga Puja. Now, both of the BJP parliamentarians expressed their plasure for the permission given by the Yogi administration.

“In closed spaces, a maximum of 50 per cent of the hall capacity will be allowed, with a ceiling of 200 persons. Wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitiser will be mandatory, the MHA order stated.

Read this news in Bengali: দুর্গাপুজোয় সায় যোগীর

Read this news in Hindi: योगी सरकार ने दी दुर्गा पूजा और दशहरे में 200 लोगों तक शामिल होने की अनुमति

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Courtesy: IANS/ ABP/Live Hindustan.