Budget Documents Will Not be Printed This Year
For the first time since 1947, the Union Budget documents will not be printed this year owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. PDF copies would be sent to the 750 Members of the Parliament.
The printing of Budget documents has been an annual tradition since November 26, 1947. For the first time since 1947, the Union Budget documents will not be printed this year owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The printing process takes place in the basement of North Block and begins a fortnight before the presentation of Budget. Many workers are involved in the process of transporting these documents. The Ministry of Finance said the government cannot keep over 100 people in a printing press together for two weeks, as there is a risk of transmission of COVID-19. The traditional Halwa ceremony, marks the beginning of the process of printing the Budget documents, halwa is offered to the staff members.
This year, around 750 Members of Parliament will get PDF version of the documents. Distribution of physical copies was already stopped for the media.
On the Budget Day, Union Finance Ministers usually carry the documents to the Parliament in a leather briefcase. However, in 2019 and 2020, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman carried the documents in a traditional bahi khata.
Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for the year 2021-22 on February 1. Now, one can access the Budget speech and the related documents on www.Indiabudget.gov.in soon after Budget speech is over.
