In a recent Lok Sabha session, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticized the Union Budget 2024, highlighting the lack of representation from marginalized communities in its preparation. He displayed a photo of the traditional 'halwa ceremony' held at the Ministry of Finance before the budget presentation, pointing out that among the 20 officers involved, only two were from minority communities or OBCs. Gandhi remarked, "In this photo, 'Budget ka halwa' is being distributed. Out of the 20 officers who prepared the Union Budget 2024, only two belonged to minority communities or OBCs, and they were not even present in the picture."
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responded by emphasizing the significance of the 'halwa ceremony,' which marks the commencement of the budget printing process and is a longstanding tradition. She stated, "Halwa ceremony represents the dedication of the staff who are locked in till Budget is presented for the confidentiality of the annual financial statement. It is not right to mock this tradition."
This exchange underscores ongoing debates regarding the inclusivity of budgetary processes and the representation of diverse communities in governmental decision-maki
ng.
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