Odisha CM Announces Waiver Of Ground Rent For Durga Puja Pandals, Goes Pandal-Hopping

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday announced waiver of ground rent for Durga Puja pandals across Odisha, which is in grip of festivities on the occasion of ‘Mahashtami’.

“Wishing the people of Odisha on the occasion of Durga Puja. On this occasion, the Government has decided to waive the rent for all Durga Puja pandals in Odisha. I am hopeful that this decision of the government will encourage the members of the puja committees,” the CM posted on social media.

Joining the pandal hoppers, Majhi also visited Patna Sahi puja pandal in Old Town in Bhubaneswar and offered prayers to the Goddess. He had earlier expressed his desire to visit the pandals in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. He may visit pandals at Rasulgarh, Baramunda, Nayapalli, Laxmisagar, Sundarpada and a few others places in the state capital.

The CM is scheduled to visit Cuttack on Mahanavami the following day to participate in the festivities. The chief minister will also be travelling to Keonjhar on October 13 to celebrate Durga Puja in his home district.

Earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition (LoP) and former CM Naveen Patnaik also sought blessings of the deity at Rasulgarh Durga Puja pandal in the city and then visited Saheed Nagar and Badgarh pandals.