The publication of the budget documents for 2020-21 with the much awaited 'Halwa Ceremony' started on Monday. Senior officials of the ministry including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur participated in the event organized in the Ministry of Finance, North Block. Every year, this program related to Halwa distribution is organized 10 days before the budget is presented. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the second budget of Modi Government 2.0 on February 1.
People are eagerly waiting for the second budget of Sitharaman as the country's economy is going through a phase of lethargy. In the first estimate released by the government, the GDP growth during the current financial year has been estimated to be around five percent.
Everyone knows that in Indian culture, any auspicious work begins with sweet. In such a situation, there is a tradition of making 'Halwa' in a large cauldron before the start of the publication of the budget. Finance Minister himself participates in this program. This 'Halwa' is distributed among all the officials and employees involved in the budget making process, including Finance Minister, Junior Minister. It is a symbolic process, which shows that the budget making has reached its final stage.
The 'Halwa Ceremony' is also important because after this ceremony, the officials and employees associated with budget making and publication remain in the office of the ministry till the budget is presented. Officers and employees can contact their family members only through fixed mobile phones. This is done with regard to confidentiality of budget documents.
