"Don't force for donations", Assam govt. to provide Rs1.5 lakh special grant to Bihu Committees

For the first time, the Assam government has decided to provide a special grant of Rs 1.5 lakh to Rongali Bihu celebration committees that have been organizing Bihu festivities within the first week of the month of Bohag for the past ten years and beyond.

Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters on Monday that the decision would discourage coerced donations from small business owners and petty traders who have already incurred losses as a result of the three waves of COVID-19 that have prompted periodic lockdowns/curfews since March 2020.

The chief minister has recently spoken out against the practice of collecting donations for the sake of organizing events. "With the special award, the Rongali Bihu celebration committees would be able to organize Assam's own and traditional festival, Bohag Bihu, without relying on contributions this year." As a result, I urge all Bihu committees to avoid soliciting donations in the name of Bohag Bihu from stores or business institutions," Sarma stated.

"It is also my sincere request to all organizations and individuals not to compel traders who have been severely impacted by the pandemic to donate." Some people's lives have even been cut short. Many traders have expressed anguish and agony to me throughout our discussions. But if someone gives voluntarily, it's a different thing altogether," Sarma explained.