Budget 2020: What is 'Halwa" ceremony? All you need to know

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday attended the 'Halwa Ceremony' ahead of printing of documents relating to the Union budget 2020.

Finance Minister, Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur and other government officials were present at the customary ceremony, which was held at the Finance Ministry, North Block.

What is Halwa Ceremony?

From today the process of document printing for the 2020 budget will start with the rituals of the Halwa ceremony. This ceremony has been a tradition that has continued for a long time.

As per the tradition, the Halwa is prepared ina big 'Kadai' and served to the entire ministry staff.

From this day, the staffers of the ministry remain cut off from their families until the presentation of the union budget by the Finance Minister.

This ceremony marks the beginning of the budget events.

After the dessert is served to the ministry officials and staff, all the employees move to the basement of North Block and stay there for around 10days.

This ensures any leaks before the budget is presented.

The ceremony also lauds the efforts of each and every staff of the ministry who is a part of the budget-making process.

As per rituals, every year the Government hosts the ceremony, a few days before the Union Budget is presented. The halwa is prepared in a large vessel and served to the finance ministry staff. The union budget will be presented on February 1.

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