Final stage of preparations for Union Budget 2024 commences with 'Halwa ceremony'

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman performed the traditional Halwa ceremony marking the final stage of the budget preparation process for Interim Union Budget 2024 in North Block on Wednesday. (Image credit: PIB)

​The customary Halwa ceremony is performed every year before the "lock-in" process of budget preparation begins. (Image credit: PIB)

During the ceremony, Sitharaman toured the Budget press room and evaluated the preparations, giving her best wishes to the officials involved. (Image credit: PIB)

Like the previous three full Union Budgets, Interim Union Budget 2024 will also be delivered in paperless form. The Interim Union Budget 2024 will be presented on February 1. (Image credit: PIB)

According to a finance ministry release, all Union Budget documents, including the annual financial statement (commonly known as Budget), demand for grants (DG), and Finance Bill, as required by the Constitution, will be available on the "Union Budget Mobile App" for easy access by members of parliament (MPs) and the general public. (Image credit: PIB)

The event witnessed the presence of Union minister of state for finance Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad. Further, finance secretary & secretary expenditure TV Somanathan, economic affairs secretary Ajay Seth, DIPAM secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey, among others who are involved in the Budget preparation and compilation process were also present. (Image credit: PIB)

The budget session of parliament will begin on January 31 and would conclude on February 9. This will be last session of Parliament before Lok Sabha elections. (Image credit: PIB)