Overview

• Since June 17 more than 10.4 million households have received peda and gaja made from temple offerings at an estimated cost of ₹20 per packet through the Duare Ration network of over 22,000 dealers
• State BJP leaders claim the scheme has spent about ₹42 crore drawn by WBHIDCO in violation of its housing development mandate
• Opposition figures have accused the government of hurting Hindu sentiments by outsourcing prasad preparation to local sweet shops, some owned by Muslims
• BJP has threatened to take WBHIDCO to court unless officials explain why public funds were used for the prasad rollout and confirm the licensing of participating vendors
• The TMC government maintains that the door-to-door distribution of temple souvenirs is a voluntary cultural outreach initiative overseen by the Information and Cultural Affairs department