How has Union Budget’s presentation changed over the years, from a briefcase to a tablet?
The Union Budget of India is one of the most highly anticipated events in the country’s economic calendar. Every year, the Finance Minister presents the Budget to the Parliament, outlining the government’s financial plans and policies for the upcoming fiscal year. Over the years, the presentation of the Union Budget has undergone significant changes, reflecting the evolving times and technological advancements. In this blog post, we will delve into the history of the Union Budget’s presentation and explore how it has transformed from a traditional briefcase to a modern tablet.
Historically, the Union Budget was presented on the last day of February, at 5:00 pm. However, in 1999, the presentation time was changed to 11:00 am. This change was made to ensure that the Budget is presented before the stock markets close, allowing for a more timely reaction to the announcements. In 2017, the date of the Budget presentation was further changed to February 1, instead of the last day of February. This change was made to enable the government to implement the Budget proposals from the beginning of the fiscal year, rather than waiting until the end of February.
Another significant change in the presentation of the Union Budget was the switch from a traditional briefcase to a cloth-wrapped ‘bahi khata’ in 2019. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made this change, opting for a more traditional and eco-friendly way of carrying the Budget documents. The ‘bahi khata’ is a traditional Indian ledger book, used to record financial transactions. By using a ‘bahi khata’ to carry the Budget documents, the Finance Minister aimed to emphasize the importance of traditional Indian values and practices.
The most significant change in the presentation of the Union Budget, however, was the switch to a paperless Budget in 2021. For the first time in Indian history, the Budget was presented on a Made-in-India tablet, rather than traditional paper documents. This change was made to reduce the environmental impact of the Budget presentation and to promote the use of digital technology. The paperless Budget was a major milestone in the government’s efforts to promote digitalization and reduce its carbon footprint.
The use of a tablet to present the Budget also marked a significant shift towards a more modern and technologically advanced approach to governance. The tablet allowed the Finance Minister to access and present the Budget documents in a more efficient and organized manner, reducing the risk of errors and miscommunications. The paperless Budget also enabled the government to make the Budget documents more widely available, through digital platforms and online portals.
In addition to these changes, the Union Budget has also become more inclusive and transparent over the years. The government has made efforts to involve citizens in the Budget-making process, through online consultations and public surveys. The Budget documents are also made available online, allowing citizens to access and review the government’s financial plans and policies.
The transition from a traditional briefcase to a modern tablet is a reflection of the government’s efforts to adapt to changing times and technological advancements. The use of digital technology has enabled the government to make the Budget presentation more efficient, transparent, and inclusive. As the government continues to evolve and modernize, it is likely that the presentation of the Union Budget will continue to change and adapt to new technologies and innovations.
In conclusion, the presentation of the Union Budget has undergone significant changes over the years, reflecting the evolving times and technological advancements. From a traditional briefcase to a cloth-wrapped ‘bahi khata’ and finally to a modern tablet, the Union Budget has become more modern, efficient, and inclusive. As we look to the future, it will be interesting to see how the government continues to adapt and innovate in its presentation of the Union Budget.
For more information on the Union Budget and its presentation, please visit: https://www.freepressjournal.in/amp/business/budget-2024-check-key-highlights-of-last-10-budgets-presented-in-modi-regime-transitioning-from-traditional-briefcase-to-bahi-khata
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