Bhubaneswar, July 6 -- In a first-of-its-kind move, the West Bengal government has announced a financial grant of Rs 5 lakh for every recognised Rath Yatra organising committee across the state. The initiative is aimed at supporting the smooth conduct of this year's festival while strengthening facilities for lakhs of devotees expected to participate.

The Information and Cultural Affairs Department issued a notification on June 27, directing all district magistrates to hand over the grant cheques to authorised representatives of the organising committees on July 13, ahead of the nine-day Rath Yatra celebrations scheduled to begin on July 16.

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