Patna: The Bihar government has sanctioned Rs 1.63 crore to support religious events across the state, with a particular focus on the upcoming Ram Navami and Chaiti Chhath celebrations. The funds are intended to ensure smooth, organised, and safe conduct of these festivals.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said the government remains committed to facilitating events rooted in faith while maintaining robust arrangements and transparency. “Security, sanitation, and crowd management will be our top priorities,” he added.
Preparations for Ram Navami and Chaiti Chhath have been fast-tracked, with Rs 50 lakh allocated for the Ram Navami procession in Patna and Rs 30 lakh for the Chaiti Chhath fair at Deo in Aurangabad. Smaller grants have also been sanctioned, including Rs 6 lakh for the Ular Dham Sun Temple in Patna and Rs 5 lakh for the Ram Darbar Chowk Mahavir Temple fair in Darbhanga.
Other fairs will also receive support: Rs 21 lakh for the Sitakund fair in Munger, Rs 5 lakh for the Shravani fair in Muzaffarpur, Rs 31 lakh for the Shravani fair in Banka, and Rs 15 lakh for the Mahashivratri fair at Baba Sundarnath Dham in Araria. These gatherings traditionally draw large crowds, prompting the government to prioritise safety and organisation.
Sinha directed local officials to ensure that all funds are used exclusively for their intended purposes. “No form of irregularity or negligence will be tolerated,” he said, stressing the importance of timely submission of utilisation certificates. District Magistrates and other concerned officials have been tasked with monitoring arrangements closely to guarantee that each event is safe, well-organised, and memorable.
