FM Launches Union Budget App; Traditional ‘Halwa Ceremony’ Held

• On Saturday, the Government of India celebrated the traditional ‘Halwa Ceremony’.

• Earlier this month, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was uncertainty regarding the celebrations of the ‘Halwa Ceremony’.

• The ceremony is held every year before the announcement of the Annual Budget.

• The Finance Minister of India Nirmala Sitharaman also launched Union Budget mobile App at the event.

• The app will provide easy and quick access to Annual Budget 2021.

• The step has been taken as this year the budget will be paperless for the first time in history.

• The mobile App will consist of14 Union Budget documents, including the Annual Financial Statement (commonly known as Budget), Demand for Grants (DG), Finance Bill, etc. as prescribed by the Constitution.

• The App will have a user-friendly interface.

• The app can be downloaded from the Union Budget Web Portal (www.indiabudget.gov.in).