Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman participated in the traditional 'Halwa' ceremony at the Union Finance Ministry headquarters in North Block, Delhi, marking the final stage of preparations for the Union Budget 2024-25. This ceremony, held on Tuesday, involved Ms. Sitharaman unwrapping a large iron wok filled with halwa, which she distributed to ministry officials present.
Accompanying her was Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, along with secretaries, officers, and staff directly involved in the Budget preparation process. The ceremony, a customary event conducted approximately a week before the Budget's "lock-in" phase begins, signifies a crucial step in maintaining confidentiality and preventing any premature disclosure of budget details.
During the 'Halwa' ceremony, a significant quantity of halwa is traditionally prepared in the Ministry of Finance kitchen. As part of the ritual, Finance Minister Sitharaman personally stirs the halwa before distributing it among the officials. This sweet treat is symbolic of auspicious beginnings in Indian culture and serves as a gesture to acknowledge the dedicated efforts of those engaged in crafting the national Budget.
Following the ceremony, officials remain within the Finance Ministry premises until the Budget presentation day. This lock-in period ensures stringent confidentiality measures are upheld, with the budget document only being printed post-approval from the Prime Minister. To safeguard against leaks, surprise inspections of the printing press area in the North Block basement are conducted by the Intelligence Bureau chief.
The 'Halwa' ceremony, steeped in tradition and respect for the significance of sweet beginnings, underscores the ceremonial launch of the final phase of Budget preparation. It underscores the Ministry's commitment to meticulous planning and confidentiality ahead of the Budget's formal presentation in Parliament.
Notably, the upcoming Union Budget for 2024-25 will be presented during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, commencing on July 22 and concluding on August 12, with the Budget presentation scheduled for July 23.
