Finance Minister Sitharaman Engages in Traditional 'Halwa Ceremony' Ahead of Budget 2024

In anticipation of the Interim Budget 2024, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman participated in the customary "halwa" ceremony, a traditional pre-budget ritual in India. This symbolic event, held at the North Block of the Central Secretariat in New Delhi, marks the final stage of preparations for the budget presentation scheduled for February 1 in the Lok Sabha.

During the ceremony, Sitharaman visited the Budget Press, reviewed preparations, and extended best wishes to officials involved. In line with recent practices, Budget 2024 will be presented in a paperless format, similar to the previous three full budgets.

Understanding the 'Halwa Ceremony' Tradition

The "halwa ceremony" is a traditional ritual where the finance minister, accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Finance, prepares and distributes the traditional Indian sweet dish called "halwa." This event, occurring a few days before the budget presentation, signifies the commencement of the printing process for budget documents.

Following the preparation and distribution of halwa, officials and support staff involved in the budget-making process are required to stay in the North Block until the Budget is officially presented in Parliament. This initiates the "lock-in" period, aiming to maintain confidentiality and prevent leaks of budget-related information before the official presentation.

Significance and Confidentiality Measures

The halwa ceremony plays a crucial role in preserving the confidentiality of budget-related information, ensuring a secure environment for the preparation and printing of documents. By having officials remain in the North Block until the budget presentation, leaks and unauthorized disclosures are minimized, upholding the integrity of the budgeting process.

A Glimpse into the Budget-Making Process

The Halwa Ceremony is merely the tip of the iceberg. The budget-making process is a complex, multi-phased journey:

• Initial Inputs: Various entities such as ministries, states, and defense forces submit their budget estimates.

• Internal Negotiations: The Finance Ministry meticulously revises and negotiates these estimates, balancing priorities and resource allocation.

• Prime Ministerial Approval: Once finalized, the budget proposal receives the Prime Minister's approval before heading to the printing stage.

Formal Send-off and Confidentiality Measures:

During the Halwa Ceremony, finance ministry officials and staff involved in crafting the Union government's annual financial statement receive a formal "send-off." This signifies the beginning of a 'lock-in' period, during which these officials isolate themselves within the ministry premises, refraining from contact with their families. The purpose is to uphold the confidentiality surrounding the final budget document.

Budget 2024 date and time

Key Details for Budget 2024

The Interim Budget 2024 is scheduled to be presented in the Parliament on February 1 at 11 am. The involvement of the finance minister in the halwa ceremony underscores the government's commitment to adhering to tradition while embracing modern practices in the budgetary process.