The release of Central financial assistance for Pulikali has been blocked due to failure to comply with conditions laid down by the Union Tourism Ministry, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) BJP Thrissur city district president Justin Jacob has alleged.

He said on Wednesday that the Centre had sanctioned ₹24 lakh as assistance for eight Pulikali teams — ₹3 lakh each — out of the ₹40 lakh sought by the State government for organising the 2025 festival. However, the aid was to be disbursed on a reimbursement basis, subject to strict compliance with guidelines issued by the Ministry.

According to Mr. Jacob, these included displaying the logos of the Tourism Ministry and ‘Incredible India’ on all publicity materials, acknowledging Central support, screening promotional videos of the Tourism Ministry, preparing event documentation videos, mentioning the Ministry’s assistance during inaugural and concluding ceremonies, and coordinating social media campaigns with the Ministry.

He alleged that the district tourism authorities failed to communicate these conditions to the Pulikali teams in advance. “The guidelines were brought to their notice only after the event was completed and documents were submitted,” he said.

Mr. Jacob also accused the then district administration and Tourism department officials of failing to properly implement the directives contained in the official communication from the Centre.

He charged in a press release that the State government’s inefficiency and the Tourism department’s negligence had resulted in the Pulikali teams losing out on eligible Central funds.