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Union Budget 2024: Nirmala Sitharaman to Present Interim Budget on February 1, 2024
The anticipation is high as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman gears up to present the interim budget on February 1, 2024. This marks her sixth consecutive budget presentation in the Parliament, making her the first finance minister to achieve this feat. In this article, we delve into the evolution of budget presentation traditions in India, specifically focusing on the significant shift from an evening presentation to a morning one.
The Tradition of Evening Budgets
1999 Change
Two decades ago, the presentation of the central budget was a twilight affair, happening at 5 PM. However, winds of change blew in 1999 when the then Finance Minister, Yashwant Sinha, altered the tradition. The evening spectacle was moved to 11 AM, bringing in a new era for budget presentations.
The Shift Catalyst
The shift was not arbitrary but rooted in historical legacies. Post-independence, India had maintained several colonial practices for years, one of which was presenting the budget at 5 PM. The change in 1999 was a deliberate departure from this norm, signaling a break from the past.
Political Landscape and Time Adjustments
NDA Government’s Decision
The year 2001 witnessed a seismic shift in the political landscape with the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha’s decision to reschedule the budget presentation time to 11 AM became a norm, upheld by subsequent governments.
The British Connection
Historically, during British rule, the British budget was presented at 5 PM, a practice followed by India. However, with the time difference, 5 PM in India coincided with 11:30 AM in Britain. Therefore, the British government’s schedule influenced India’s budget presentation time in the post-independence period.
Recent Developments
Modi Government’s Change
In recent years, under the leadership of the Modi government, the presentation date of the annual budget shifted from February 28 to February 1. Simultaneously, the traditional practice of presenting a separate Rail Budget was discontinued. The Rail Budget was amalgamated into the general budget presentation, streamlining the process and eliminating a historic practice.
Embracing Change
In conclusion, the evolution of budget presentation timings reflects the dynamic nature of Indian governance. From colonial legacies to contemporary adjustments, each change has been a deliberate step towards modernization. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s impending presentation adds another chapter to this ever-evolving narrative.
