Budget 2024: How the Budget is Prepared?

Prepare for the highly anticipated Union Budget 2024–25, which Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to address in the Lok Sabha on February 1. Since the general elections are set for the start of the next fiscal year, this budget will only be temporary. The comprehensive budget for the fiscal year 2025 will be unveiled following the impending elections and the establishment of a new government.

How is the Budget Prepared?

Let’s take a quick look at the process of preparing the budget:

1. Giving Instructions

To help all ministries, states, union territories, and autonomous bodies prepare estimates for the next fiscal year, the Central Finance Ministry first gives instructions and forms to these entities. To help ministries deliver their requests, these directions offer forms and guidance.

2. Ministry Estimates

In addition to providing projections for the future year, all ministries, states, and autonomous organizations are required to provide their revenue and expenses from the year prior. This data is essential for a thorough summary.

3. Evaluation of Proposals

Senior government representatives examine the budgets that have been presented by the different departments. To guarantee correctness, the Revenue Secretary and NITI Aayog may conduct in-depth discussions and inspections.

4. Revenue and Expenditure Projection

The Finance Ministry compares revenue and expenditure predictions subsequent to its assessment of the data provided by the Revenue Department. In this step, calculating the overall budget deficit is essential.

5. Distribution of Revenue

The Finance Ministry distributes monies to various ministries and departments for their anticipated costs in accordance with the recommendations and available resources.

6. Pre-Budget Consultation

The Finance Minister meets with a range of stakeholders, such as state legislators, bankers, farmers, economists, and trade unions, prior to finalizing the budget. This facilitates the incorporation of many viewpoints.

7. Halwa Ceremony

The Finance Ministry prepares a sweet dish (halwa) in a huge utensil as part of a ritual known as the “Halwa Ceremony,” which is held a few days before to the budget presentation. This signifies the formal start of budget document printing.

8. Presentation of the Budget

The Finance Minister delivers the budget to the Lok Sabha on February 1st, following the President’s approval. An overview of the main ideas, the rationale behind recommendations, and the government’s outlook are all included in this presentation.

9. Parliamentary Discussion

Both houses of Parliament debate the budget after it is presented. It is forwarded to the President for one last approval.

Gaining an understanding of the budget process allows us to better understand how the government plans and distributes resources to meet the requirements of the country.