A section of North Block enjoyed sweet dish ‘halwa’ ahead of the tense budget session. Following the Indian tradition of having something sweet before setting out on an auspicious work, the Finance Ministry here on Saturday performed the “halwa” ceremony to mark the commencement of the printing process for the 2018-19 Budget.
Traditionally, the sweet dish is cooked in large quantity and the Finance Minister serves it to the officials in the ministry, who remain incommunicado and stay in the North Block — where the Union Finance Ministry is housed — till the presentation of the Budget.