For the first time since 1947, India’s Union Budget documents will not be printed this year owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The printing of budget documents has been an annual tradition since the first-ever Budget of Independent India was presented on November 26, 1947.
The Upper House and Lower House of Parliament gave permission to the Indian government to not print the crucial documents this year. Instead, the Members of Parliament (MPs) will get soft copies of the Budget.
Around 750 members of Parliament will get an e-version of the documents. Now, one can access the Budget Speech and related documents on www.Indiabudget.gov.in and www.indiabudget.nic.in soon after the budget is over.
The Ministry of Finance said the government cannot keep over 100 people in a printing press together for two weeks, citing the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
Also, many workers are involved in the process of transporting these documents.
The traditional Halwa ceremony is also unlikely to take place this year.
The usual tradition is offering halwa to the staff members before beginning the process of printing the budget.
The budget for the financial year 2021-22 will be presented on February 1. According to reports, the Budget session of the Parliament will commence on January 29.
