The Calcutta High Court has put on hold West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Durga Puja bounty plan for organizers. Ms Banerjee had planned to give Rs. 10,000 to every puja in the state. The petitioner told the court how the state government can use public money for religious purposes. "It is strange that the state has decided to provide funds for religious purposes of a particular segment of the population. This will run in contradiction with the basic tenements of our constitution, which is secular in nature and character," said the petition filed by United Trades Union Congress, affiliated to Left party RSP.
