Mumbai: Ganapati mandals in the city are bracing up for nearly 30 to 40% dip in earnings this year.
While the demonetisation effect continues, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) have impacted the advertising to a large extent. In addition, last week’s flood has taken a toll on the donations.
Naresh Dahibhavkar, president, Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, said the beginning of the festival was good. “However, the floods were a dampener. Even as the rain stopped the next day, people feared to step out for the next two days.”
He said that most of the people visiting the pandals come from suburbs, but the floods has spread fear among them. “The building collapse in south Mumbai also affected the festive spirit.”
According to Mr. Dahibhavkar, the mandals are already reeling under the pressure of low advertisements because of the GST and the RERA. “Most big real estate companies and even other businesses have limited their budget unlike last few years. Also, there is no election nearby because of which political parties and candidates have not bothered for promotions either.”
The city has 11,500 sarvajanik ganpati mandals, which have been divided into A, B, C and D category. A category consists of those like Lalbaugcha Raja and GSB, which have earnings above ₹50 lakh during the 11-day festival.
Earnings of category B and C mandals range from ₹25-30 lakh and ₹15-20 lakh, while category D mandals earn anywhere between ₹5 and ₹6 lakh. As much as 25% earnings are kept reserve by the mandals for silver jubilee or golden jubilee celebrations.
“We use a good chunk of the funds for medical aid, education, and other needs of locals. But this year, we may have to scale down some work,” said Ganesh Mathur of Khetwadi 12th lane Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Mandal, which has a 14-foot high ganesha idol this year. “One regular real estate advertiser has put up his hoardings but many other builders have backed out.”
Some mandal members also rued about the GST on Plaster of Paris, which has overall increased the cost of idols.
According to Subash Pai, convenor and public relations officer of GSB Sarvajanik Ganeshothsava Samiti in Wadala, they cancelled more than 50 puja rituals booked by devotees on the day of the floods and the next day.
“Even as the footfall fell drastically due to the floods, we had a massive rush in the last three days,” said Mr. Pai.
A volunteer at Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal echoed similar sentiments. “Some devotees who live nearby could get the darshan in 15 to 20 minutes as there was no rush on the day of the floods. But soon after, the crowd multiplied tremendously.”
