'Centre funds Kumbh Mela, but won't fund Ganga Sagar Mela': Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday blamed Centre of t providing funds for Bengal's annual Gangasagar Mela held in Sagar Islands in South 24 Parganas district.

" Central government gives a lot of money for Kumbh Mela, but Ganga Sagar Mela is t less than Kumbh for which Centre does t give any money. We do t take any money from anyone for infrastructure and development of Ganga Sagar r do y give me," Banerjee said.

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Mamata Banerjee h also anunced insurance of Rs 5 lakh to every pilgrim in case of any incident on ir visit to  Sagar Islands till January 17. She said that present TMC government has done a lot for Ganga Sagar in West Bengal that was never done before.

Gangasagar Mela is an annual event held at Sagar Island at time of Makar Sankranti festival. Thousands of pilgrims visit place to take a dip in holy Ganga river during festival. 

Kumbh Mela, on or hand, is celebrated in a cycle of about 12 years at four river-bank pilgrim sites in Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain.  latest Kumbh Mela was held at Prayagraj in 2019.

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Mamata Banerjee reviews Gangasagar Mela preparations

Apprehending "politically influenced disturbances", West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday directed ministrative officials and police personnel to stay alert and ensure CCTV cover of entire Gangasagar Mela ground, ahe of Makar Sankranti. dressing an ministrative meeting at Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas, CM, without taking names of any party, said "some elements" might try to create trouble during week-long mela. She also stated that her government h arranged an insurance policy of Rs 5 lakh per person for all individuals visiting Gangasagar Mela, set to begin on January 11.

Mamata Banerjee, while reviewing preparations for meal, enquired about drinking water supply and accommodation facilities for pilgrims. Thousands of pilgrims gar at Sagar Island during this time of year to take a dip at confluence of Hooghly river and Bay of Bengal and offer prayers at Kapil Muni Ashram.

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(With inputs from ANI)