Nirmala Sitharaman’s Halwa Ceremony: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Indulges in Annual ‘Halwa’ Ritual, Setting the Stage for Interim Budget 2024.
In a traditional prelude to the Interim Budget 2024, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman participated in the customary ‘halwa’ ceremony on Wednesday. This ritual, held in the basement of Delhi’s North Block, involves the preparation and serving of the sweet treat to finance ministry officials and staff engaged in crafting the budget. Following the ceremony, a ‘lock-in’ phase commences, isolating participants to ensure the confidentiality of the impending budget document.
Despite significant government changes, such as the merger of the Rail Budget and advancements in the budget presentation date, the halwa ceremony stands as a resilient tradition.
The Union Budget 2024, scheduled for presentation in the Lok Sabha on February 1, will follow the trend of paperless delivery, maintaining consistency with the last three full Union Budgets.
All budget documents, including the Annual Financial Statement and Finance Bill, will be accessible through the “Union Budget Mobile App” and the Union Budget Web Portal in both English and Hindi. The app is compatible with Android and iOS platforms, offering a seamless and accessible experience for users.
what is ‘Halwa Ceremony’?
The ‘Halwa Ceremony’ is an annual tradition in the Indian finance ministry that marks the final stages of the preparation of the Union Budget. It is a symbolic event held to maintain secrecy and confidentiality around the budget-making process. During the ceremony, a special dessert called ‘halwa’ is prepared and served to the officials and staff members involved in the budget preparation.
The ceremony typically takes place in the basement of Delhi’s North Block, which houses the finance ministry. Following the event, there is a ‘lock-in’ period during which the officials and staff stay in the basement, isolated from the outside world, to ensure the confidentiality of the budget document.
This practice has continued despite several changes in the budget presentation process, reflecting the significance of tradition in the Indian government’s financial rituals.
