West Bengal Government Increases Honorarium for Priests and Muezzins Ahead of Elections
In a significant move ahead of the assembly elections, West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a ₹500 increase in the monthly honorarium for priests and muezzins. This decision, made just before the election commission's announcement of the election schedule, underscores the government's commitment to recognizing the contributions of religious leaders in the community. The monthly payment will now total ₹2,000, and all new applications for honorarium have been approved. This announcement comes at a crucial time, as the model code of conduct is set to take effect, limiting new policy announcements aimed at influencing voters.
| Mar 15, 2026, 16:25 IST
Significant Announcement by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
As the assembly elections in West Bengal draw near, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a noteworthy announcement on Sunday. The state government has decided to raise the monthly honorarium for priests and muezzins by ₹500. This decision is politically significant as it comes just before a press conference by the election commission.
The Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, is set to announce the schedule for the highly anticipated assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry at a press conference in New Delhi at 4 PM today.
On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Mamata Banerjee stated that the state government has approved an increase of ₹500 in the monthly honorarium for priests and muezzins.
The Trinamool Congress leader expressed her happiness in her post, stating, "I am pleased to announce an increase of ₹500 in the monthly honorarium for our priests and muezzins, whose services sustain the spiritual and social life of our communities."
With this adjustment, the monthly payment for both groups will rise to ₹2,000. The Chief Minister also mentioned that all new applications submitted by priests and muezzins for the honorarium have been approved by the state government.
She added, "Additionally, all new applications duly submitted by priests and muezzins have been approved by the state government."
The Chief Minister further emphasized that this initiative reflects the government's commitment to recognizing the role of religious officials in society.
She stated, "We take pride in fostering an environment where every community and tradition is valued and strengthened," also noting that the government's aim is to ensure that those who uphold the state's spiritual traditions receive appropriate recognition and support.
This announcement was made just before the election commission is expected to reveal the election schedule; following this, the model code of conduct will come into effect, which restricts governments from making new policy announcements or financial commitments aimed at influencing voters.
Thus, the increase in honorarium and the approval of new applications were made right before the implementation of the model code of conduct.