Ramlila, Durga Puja committees to get 1,200 units of free electricity

As the festival season nears, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday announced that the government will provide free 1,200 units of electricity to every Ramlila and Durga Puja committee. The committees will only have to pay 25 per cent of the earlier security deposit for power connections.

The CM further announced that during the festivities, a day will be dedicated to honour Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as part of the Seva Pakhwada beginning on September 17 (PM Modi’s 75th birthday) and continuing till October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti).

Moreover, no objection certificates (NOCs) required from departments such as the DDA, MCD, Delhi Jal Board, Fire Services and others will now be given through a single-window system.

“With the Navratri beginning on September 22, large-scale Ramlila performances will be held across Delhi. This reform ensures that all formalities will now be resolved at the district level through the District Magistrate’s office,” she said.

She also directed officials that during Navratri, as part of the Seva Pakhwada being run by the Delhi Government, activities such as medical camps, cleanliness drives and awareness programmes should be organised at Ramlila venues.

Notably, preparations for both Durga Puja and Ramlila have already begun in the city. “Messages on environmental issues and appeals in the interest of the nation should be conveyed before or after performances so that people take home a positive message,” she said.