This story is from January 20, 2020

Union Budget 2020: Things to know about 'halwa' ceremony

The official printing of the Union Budget 2020 documents starts with the 'halwa'-making ceremony. As part of the ritual, 'halwa' is prepared in a big 'kadhai' (large frying pot) and served to the entire staff in the finance ministry.
Union Budget 2020: Things to know about 'halwa' ceremony
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman (centre) along with other members of the ministry during the 'halwa' ceremony on account of this year's Union Budget. (Photo: Twitter/Ministry of finance)
NEW DELHI: The official printing of the Union Budget 2020 documents starts with the 'halwa'-making ceremony. As part of the ritual, 'halwa' is prepared in a big 'kadhai' (large frying pot) and served to the entire staff in the finance ministry.
Here are key things to know about the 'halwa' ceremony and this year's Union Budget:
* 'Halwa' ceremony takes place at the North Block, New Delhi in the presence of Union finance minister and other senior members of the ministry.

* The 'halwa' ceremony kicked off on Monday by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman with minister of state for finance Anurag Thakur and other senior officials.

* The significance of the sweet dish is that after it is served, a large number of officials and support staff -- who are directly associated with the Budget making and printing process -- are required to stay in the ministry and remain cut off from their families till the presentation of the Budget in the Lok Sabha.
* They are not even allowed to contact their near and dear ones through phone or any other form of communication, like e-mail.

* Only very senior officials in the finance ministry are permitted to go home.
* The process is followed so that there are no leaks of information about the Union Budget before its presentation.
* This year, the Union Budget will be presented (February 1) at a time when the economic growth has plunged to a six-year low amidst a persistent slowdown in the economy followed by a weak demand.
* The GDP (gross domestic product) estimates for the current fiscal ending in March stood at 5 per cent.
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