INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The "halwa ceremony" marks the beginning of the "lock in" period for officials (File photo)New Delhi: The traditional "halwa ceremony" ahead
of Union budget was dropped for the first time this year in view of the pandemic situation in Delhi, the Union government said today
The budget -- paperless like the last time -- will be presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1.In a statement
today, the government said, "To mark the final stage of the Union Budget making process, sweets were provided to the core staff due to
undergo "lock-in" at their workplaces, instead of a customary Halwa ceremony every year in view of the prevailing pandemic situation and the
need to observe health safety protocols".The "halwa ceremony" - organized by the Finance Ministry at its headquarters in the North Block
basement every year - marks the beginning of the "lock in" period for officials
The Finance Minister stirs the dessert in a traditional kadhai and serves it to colleagues
It is later distributed to everyone who works on the budget, as a mark of recognition.To ensure that the budget details are not leaked,
officials in the period leading up to the presentation of the Union Budget
These officers and staff will come in contact with their near and dear ones only after the Budget is presented by the Union Finance Minister
This will include the Budget Speech, Annual Financial Statement (commonly known as Budget), Demand for Grants, Finance Bill etc
