The annual Union Budget for 2022-2023 is to be announced for the fourth year by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. While the first part of the Parliament budget session already started earlier on Monday with President Ram Nath Kovind’s address, it will end on February 11. The second part is set to take place from March 14 to April 8.

There are many distinct rituals that are performed in the run up to the annual announcement most years but they have gone through significant changes in the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which continues to be a big cause of concern around the country.

Here is a list of unique budget traditions and how they are changing:

Sweets distribution instead of halwa ceremony