Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the ‘Halwa Ceremony’ for Union Budget 2024. This ritual symbolises the final stage of the budget-making process. The Finance Minister fed halwa to the entire team involved in budget-making. This ritual is performed every year before the budget-making process is ‘locked-in’. Apart from the Finance Minister, other members of the ministry such as Minister of State Pankaj Chaudhary, CEA V Anantha Nageswaran, Finance Secretary TV Somanathan, and DEA Secretary Ajay Seth were also present at the Halwa Ceremony.
What is the Halwa Ceremony?
The Halwa Ceremony, usually held 9-10 days before the budget is presented, involves the Finance Minister and senior officials of the Finance Ministry gathering at North Block, New Delhi. Halwa is prepared in a large cauldron and served to all the staff involved in the budget-making process.
History of Halwa Ceremony
The history of the Halwa Ceremony has no historical evidence, but it has evolved as a tradition over the years. It is said that in India, any important or new endeavour begins with something sweet, hence the Halwa Ceremony.
Significance of Halwa Ceremony
After preparing and distributing halwa to the staff involved in preparing the budget, these officials and support staff stay in North Block until the budget is presented in Parliament. This marks the beginning of the budget lock-in period, which is designed to maintain secrecy and prevent any leaks before the official presentation.
When the printing of the budget is completed and sealed, the Finance Ministry and its staff attend a special ceremony. About 100 officials involved in the budget process stayed in complete isolation in the basement of North Block for ten days before the budget announcement. Officials are not allowed to carry mobile phones or other communication equipment, only essential calls are allowed on landlines monitored by an intelligence officer.
Who attends the Halwa Ceremony?
The Halwa ceremony organised by the Finance Ministry is attended by the Finance Minister and several officials of the Ministry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: When is the Union Budget presented?
Answer: The Union Budget is presented in February.
Question: Who presents the Union Budget?
Answer: The Finance Minister of India presents the Union Budget on the first day of February every year.
Question: When was the budget presented for the first time in India?
Answer: Finance Minister Sir R.K. Shanmukham Chetty presented the first Union Budget of independent India on November 26, 1947.
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