Budget 2024: What is the significance of the ‘halwa’ ceremony?

What is the ‘halwa’ ceremony?

The ‘halwa’ ceremony is a traditional event that marks the beginning of the printing process of Budget documents. It takes place days ahead of the presentation of the Budget in Parliament.

How does the ‘halwa’ ceremony take place?

The ceremony involves the preparation and distribution of ‘halwa’, a special sweet dish, to the entire staff involved in the Budget-making process.

What’s the significance of the ‘halwa’ ceremony?

This event signifies the commencement of the final stages of the Budget preparation.

Where does the ceremony take place?

The ‘halwa’ ceremony is carried out in the basement of the North Block in New Delhi, where the printing of the Budget documents takes place.

Who participates in the ‘halwa’ ceremony?

The Finance Minister participates in this ceremony along with other officials. The sweet dish is prepared in large quantities to cater to the entire staff involved in the process, including officers from the Ministry of Finance, the printing press, and the IT department.

What happens after the ‘halwa’ ceremony?

Once ‘halwa’ is served, the entire staff is required to stay in isolation until the Budget is presented in Parliament. This practice aims to prevent any leaks or unauthorised access to the information contained in Budget documents.

Morale booster

The ceremony also serves as a morale booster for the staff involved in the Budget-making process. It is a moment of celebration and camaraderie as everyone comes together to enjoy the sweet dish. The ceremony is followed by long hours of work and dedication to finalise the Budget documents.

Conclusion

The ‘halwa’ ceremony is a traditional and significant event that marks the beginning of the final stages of the Budget preparation. The distribution of the dish serves as a morale booster and sets the tone for the intense work that follows in the lead-up to the presentation of the Budget in Parliament.

Images: IANS, ANI