Budget printing kicks off on a sweet note
NEW DELHI: It is a tradition to have something sweet before any auspicious event in India. The Union budget is no exception.
The printing of the budget documents kicked off on Monday, with the finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman attending the customary ceremony. As a part of the more than-70-year-old ritual, the sweet dish is prepared in a huge (wok) every year and served to the entire staff at the finance ministry, North Block, around 10 days before the budget presentation.
Close to 100 officials who are directly involved in budget-making and printing of the budget documents are put in a ‘lock-in’ in the North Block after the ceremony.
During this time—for 10 days—these officials are cut off from their family and are not allowed to get in touch with them via phone calls or emails, as the documents are guarded closely. Phone calls are allowed only in emergencies. All forms of communication for these officials resume only after the finance minister presents the budget in Parliament. This is done to ensure complete secrecy and prevent any leaks. Only senior government officials such as joint secretaries and secretaries are allowed to go home.
The budget document is printed in a printing press located in the basement of the North Block.
This year, Sitharaman will present the Union budget on February 1. She is expected to announce fresh steps to pull the economy out of a deep downturn.