This year’s Union Budget will be paperless as well, to go green. By going paperless, the government will be able to reduce the amount of paper used to present tax proposals and financial statements. Except for a few hard copies, the Budget 2022 papers will be primarily available digitally.
Members of Parliament (MPs) and the general public could access the documents with just a few clicks thanks to the government’s development of the ‘Union Budget Mobile App’ in 2021.
The annual financial statement, finance bill, memorandum to explain the provisions in the finance bill, macroeconomic framework statement, fiscal policy strategy statement, outcome framework for schemes, customs notification, implementation of previous announcements, receipt budget, expenditure budget, and budget estimates are usually included in the voluminous Budget documents.
The administration opted not to print the Budget materials for the first time since independence last year. This appears to be a new tradition.
Furthermore, this year’s Budget 2022 omitted the halwa ceremony as well. The finance minister, deputy finance ministers, and other top officials in the finance ministry attend the halwa ceremony, which kicks off the printing of the Budget. The halwa is made in a large ‘kadhai’ and served to the entire workout team. Following the ceremony, officials and workers actively involved in budget preparation are isolated until the budget is presented.
