Halwa before budget

Have you heard about 'Halwa ceremony'? Those who are not aware, at Finance ministry it has been a tradition continuing for long time which heralds the beginning of the quarantine for staff that will be associated with the preparation of the secret document 'Budget'.

As part of the ritual, India’s favourite dish 'halwa' is prepared in a big 'Khadai' (vessel) and served to the entire staff in the finance ministry. This year the ceremony held on 7th February 2014 with lot enthusiasm even though the finance minister will be presenting an Interim Budget only and there won’t be any major changes in the tax proposals.

The significance of the sweet dish 'halwa' 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, cut off from their families. Only very senior officials in the Finance Ministry are permitted to go home.

The Budget, which will be the last of the present UPA government, is scheduled to be unveiled in Parliament on February 17.