What is the Budget Halwa Ceremony?

The halwa ceremony, which takes place a few days before the Budget is presented, involves the Finance Minister stirring a large pan of halwa, and the sweet is then distributed...

Zaheer Hussain
March 14, 2023
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The halwa ceremony, which takes place a few days before the Budget is presented, involves the Finance Minister stirring a large pan of halwa, and the sweet is then distributed to ministry officials and staff members. The ceremony marks the start of the budget’s “lock-in” period. After the halwa is served, officials and support staff directly involved with the Budget process – its preparation and printing – remain in the North Block, isolated from everyone, including their families, until the Budget is presented. This is done to protect the Union Budget’s secrecy.

Why In The News?

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented The Union Budget On February 1. The Halwa Ceremony To Mark The Final Stage Of The Budget Preparation Was Held On January 26 At The North Block, Which Houses The Finance Ministry.

What Is The Budget Halwa Ceremony?

Held Some Days Before The Budget Is To Be Presented, The Halwa Ceremony Involves The Finance Minister Stirring A Large Pan Of The Halwa, And The Sweet Then Being Distributed To Ministry Officials And Staff Members.
The Ceremony Marks The Beginning Of The Budget ‘Lock-in’ Period. After The Halwa Is Served, Officials And Support Staff Directly Associated With The Budget Process, Its Preparation, And Printing Stay In The North Block, Cut Off From Everyone, Including Their Families, Till The Budget Is Presented.
This Is Done To Maintain The Secrecy Of The Union Budget. The Lock-in Period Ends Only After The Finance Minister Has Given The Budget Speech In Lok Sabha. The Halwa Is A Gesture Of Appreciation For All Those Who Work To Bring Out The Budget.
The Lock-in Period Has Now Become Shorter, As The Government Moved To Paperless Budgets In 2021, Thus Cutting Down The Time Needed To Print Budget Copies. Budget Related Documents Are Printed At North Block On A Dedicated Government Press.
Earlier, The Documents Were Printed At Rashtrapati Bhavan, But This Was Shifted To A Press On Minto Road In The National Capital In 1950 After Documents Were Leaked, And In 1980 To North Block.

Briefcase And Bahi Khata:

Till 2018, Finance Ministers Carried The Budget Papers To Parliament In A Briefcase, A British-Era Tradition. However, In 2019, Sitharaman Brought The Documents In A Red Cloth Tied With A String, With The National Emblem Emblazoned On It.
Red Clothes Are Usually Used To Cover Religious Texts. Then Chief Economic Advisor Krishnamurthy Subramanian Called It A Sign Of “Departure From Slavery Of Western Slavery”.
It Is In Indian Tradition. It Symbolizes Our Departure From The Slavery Of Western Thought.
It Is Not A Budget But A ‘Bahi Khata’ (Ledger).

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