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.