New Delhi: As India is set to witness the Union Budget for the financial year 2022-23 on February 1 and various sectors await reforms let us take a look at how the Finance Minister's day will begin before she tables the budget in the Parliament.
The Union Budget, which is the most extensive account of the Central government’s finances, will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, at 11 am. The Finance Minister will begin her day on February 1 at 9 a.m.
Nirmala Sitharaman along with her team is scheduled to leave for Rashtrapati Bhavan from the Finance Ministry at 9 a.m.
After meeting President Ram Nath Kovind, the Finance Minister will brief the cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and then leave for the Parliament, informed the director-general (media and communication) of the Ministry of Finance.
The President of India is the first to be briefed about the budget provisions by the Union Finance Minister, as per the tradition.
It is always a customary meeting as the President does not suggest any change in the Union Budget, but the meeting is significant as the Finance Minister takes permission from the President before presenting the Budget in Parliament.
After meeting the President, Sitharaman is to meet the Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and brief the Cabinet about the budget.
"The ministry of finance maintains secrecy about the budget... before presenting his/her speech, the finance minister is bound to keep secrecy about the Budget provisions," an official said, according to an IANS report.