After the ceremony, for almost 11 days, employees, who are a part of the budget-making process, are locked up in a basement, only to emerge once the finance minister presents the budget in the Lok Sabha. New Delhi, January 21 (UNI): The ‘Halwa Ceremony’ is the event which indicates the start of the printing of the Budget documents to be presented in Parliament every year. ‘Halwa’, as it indicates, is a traditional sweet made in common Indian household across the country. The same sweet is prepared in the North Block, New Delhi which houses the Finance Ministry. Many people believe that it’s a pooja or worship, but it does not involve any puja or worship. After the ceremony, for almost 11 days, employees, who are a part of the budget-making process, are locked up in a basement, only to emerge once the finance minister presents the budget in the Lok Sabha. During this entire time, these officials are not permitted to talk to even their family members physically or over the phone or mobile phone. They cannot use any medium of communication during entire period. The only medium of communication is the one telephone line in the basement, which can only receive calls and that too in the presence of an intelligence officer. To block the mobile communication, mobile phone jammer is installed inside North Block so that any information do not get leaked. Besides, armed security personnel, dog squads often make rounds. Special police protection is given to Finance Secretary (FS) and other top officials, who move outside the North Block. In case of any emergency, the concerned official is required to convey his or her emergency to the director in-charge, who will then communicate with his/her family, and vice-versa. In case of any eventuality of critical situation, if officials are allowed to visit his family place, Delhi police, Vigilance and IB officials accompany him or her all the time. In case of medical emergency, the employee or official will be taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital where a special area is booked for them. And even there too, officials from the Delhi Police/Vigilance and IB will monitor the employee to make sure no information is leaked on the budget. On normal days, the computers of the section are connected with the network of National Informatic Center (NIC). But after the ceremony, the computers used during the process are delinked from NIC server which make sure that no hacking can be made from outside. Only, the FM has the right to enter and exit this area where budget documents get printed. Similarly, a few top officials like Finance Secretary, etc are given special pass to enter and exit North Block during this period. This year around 120 officers and employees will be involved in this budget printing exercise, and will work 24 x 7 in shifts. Around 2,500 to 3,000 budget copies will be printed this year. The first Budget Session of Parliament will be held from January 29 to February 9, while the Union Budget will be presented on February 1.