Every time the Centre presents the Union Budget, we tend to hear about the halwa ceremony? Now, many of you might wonder what all this is about. Though it isn’t clear when this tradition began, there is evidence suggesting that the halwa ceremony has been ongoing for decades. Usually, as per Indian tradition, it is customary to distribute sweets when any important activity is held. Analysts too opine this as the reason behind the ceremony.
When and who hosts this event?
The halwa ceremony is held exactly ten days before the presentation of the Union Budget. As the Union Budget would be presented on Feb 1 this time, the halwa ceremony was held on Saturday (January 23rd). Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and other top officials in the Ministry of Finance took part in the event. However, because of coronavirus fears, only a few leaders took part in the event. Along with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, MoS Finance Anurag Thakur, and various secretaries and officials in the Finance Ministry presided in the event.
Will not go to their homes
Following the ceremony, officials in the Ministry of Finance make arrangements for printing the budget copies. Hence, in order to ensure confidentiality, none of the officials involved are allowed to go to their homes. However, because of the Coronavirus scare this time, the government mulls digitising the budget copies instead of getting them printed. Also, the government has limited the number of personnel to forty this time.
