Finance Minister Defends Pre-Budget Halwa Ceremony Amid Criticism

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defended the traditional pre-budget Halwa ceremony amid criticism. She emphasized its emotional significance for ministry staff, who ensure budget secrecy. Sitharaman addressed Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's remarks on caste representation, highlighting the ceremony's historical context and emotional importance.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday defended the traditional pre-budget Halwa ceremony, highlighting its long-standing history since the days when budget papers were printed on Minto Road. The ceremony, involving the preparation of halwa by staff, marks an auspicious beginning.

Responding to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's comments dubbing the harwa ceremony as 'budget ka harwa,' Sitharaman underscored the emotional significance of the event for the Finance Ministry staff, who spend five nights and four days in quarantine to ensure the budget's secrecy.

Sitharaman questioned Gandhi's criticism on the lack of SC, ST, or OBC representation in photos from the ceremony, noting that such calculations were not made during the Congress-led UPA regime. She urged against dividing people on caste lines and emphasized the longstanding tradition of the ceremony.

(With inputs from agencies.)