NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting the last budget of the second Modi government in the Parliament. Interim budget is being presented as the Lok Sabha elections are round the corner. Halwa is prepared before every presentation of the budget. This is a tradition that has been going on for ages. Halwa is not just prepared, there is a clear reason behind it.

The halwa function marks the beginning of the compilation of documents for the budget. It is an integral process of the budget presentation. The function is hosted by the finance minister and other officials of the ministry inside the North Block. The traditional halwa ceremony also marks the beginning of the budget document printing. However, in the new era, the budget presentation has been digitalized but there is no change in the halwa ceremony. The pre-Budget 2024 ceremony was held at North Block last Wednesday under the leadership of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

What is halwa ceremony?
The halwa ceremony is an annual ritual observed nine or ten days before the presentation of the budget in Parliament, hosted by the Union Finance Minister. The ceremony is considered to mark the beginning of the printing of budget documents. The ceremony is held at the North Block of the Ministry of Finance, Delhi. The printing press is also located here. The finance minister will be the first to stir the halwa prepared in a large iron vessel. The finance minister serves the halwa to other officials.

Significance of halwa ceremony
Preparation of halwa also marks the beginning of the 'lock in' process where finance ministry officials remain in the North Block without going out. Once the halwa is served, no one goes out. This will continue until the final draft of the budget reaches the Lok Sabha. No one will be allowed to go home or use the phone.

There will be no contact with the outside world. A number will be given to the family to contact in case of emergency. It also may not be direct communication. It has been followed from time to time to prevent leakage of budget and with security in mind.

Security was tightened after a budget leak in 1950. A part of the budget in 1950 was leaked during printing at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Finance Minister John Mathai had to resign then. Later, from 1980, the North Block itself was converted into a printing centre.