Sitharaman hits back at Rahul Gandhi over "budget ka halwa" jibe, says ceremony more than a ritual

New Delhi [India], July 30 (ANI): Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his “budget ka halwa” jibe during discussion on union budget and said the ceremony is “more than just a ritual and a testament to the hard work and dedication” of the Finance Ministry officials and staff.

Sitharaman, who was replying to the budget debate in the Lok Sabha, emphasised the importance of the ceremony in fostering a sense of solidarity and teamwork among the members involved in the meticulous task of budget preparation.

Rahul Gandhi, who is Leader of Opposition, in his remarks, alleged that there was lack of representation of weaker sections in the preparation of union budget. He came to the House with a poster which he sought to display but the Speaker told him that it is against norms.        

"Budget ka halwa' is being distributed in this photo. I can't see one OBC or tribal or a Dalit officer in this. Desh ka halwa bant raha hai aur 73 per cent hai hi nahi. 20 officers prepared the Budget of India...Hindustan ka halwa 20 logon ne baatne ka kaam kiya hai," Gandhi alleged in his speech on Monday.   

Referring to the UPA government budget in 2013–14 with the then Finance Minister going to the cellar and distributing Halwa, Sitharaman said why Rahul Gandhi did not raise his objections at that time about lack of representation of weaker sections .

“Leader of the opposition, why did you not ask the finance minister at that time that how many SC brothers are with you when you go down to distribute Halwa? Say it. If it was so powerful, why did you not cancel halwa then? Because at that time, it was remote control, right? Why did you not cancel halwa? At that time, it was not asked. How many SCs, STs, OBCs were there…At that time, no statistics were counted. But now it is being asked. That is why I am saying, in this country, people are being divided. With some conspiracy, this question is being asked. Sir, it is a shame,” Sitharaman said.

A customary Halwa ceremony is performed every year before the ‘lock-in’ process of officials involved in the Budget preparation begins. The ceremony marks the beginning of the budget printing process, which takes place in the basement of North Block.

Sitharaman noted that the staff involved in this process is required to remain within the premises until the budget is formally presented to maintain confidentiality.

"Once they go inside after the Halwa ceremony, they can't come out until the budget is read. This tradition recognizes their hard work and dedication," Sitharaman said.

She recalled the commitment of officials and named two of them who continued their work despite personal tragedies, reflecting their profound sense of duty.

She pointed out that the tradition was not new and had been practiced long before it became a media event.

Sitharaman also pointed to the cultural relevance of such events as such ceremonies are held during auspicious occasions.  

"In India, there is a tradition to eat something sweet before doing anything good. It symbolises a good beginning. The Halwa ceremony serves as a recognition for the hard work and dedication of the finance ministry officials and staff who have been diligently preparing the budget documents," she said.

Sitharaman presented the Union Budget on July 23 in the Parliament and made major announcements for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, including a boost in infrastructure and special financial support.

The budget session of Parliament began on July 22 and is slated to conclude on August 12. (ANI)