FM to continue paperless budget practice; To present Union Budget 2023 on digital device

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2023-24 using a digital device and not the traditional Bahi-khata in her hands. Notably, this will be FM Nirmala Sithraman’s fifth budget as the finance minister. She used the traditional Bahi-khata to present the Union Budget in 2019 rather than a leather briefcase.

Significantly, since independence, It was the first time that any Finance Minister had 'opted out' of a briefcase or a hardbound leather bag.

On Wednesday, the Budget documents will be available on the 'Union Budget Mobile App' on both the Android and Apple OS platforms after the completion of the Budget Speech by the Finance Minister.

Bahi-khata has cultural significance

The minister in 2019 not only attracted huge attention for carrying a 'bahi-khata', but also for implying the rich culture the country holds.

A 'bahi-khata' holds rich cultural prominence in Indian tradition and history. For a long time in India accounts were managed and the record of bills were kept in a 'bahi-khata'. Across the entrepreneurial community including traders, merchants, sailors and even small shopkeepers have retained this way of preserving their data, even till this date.

Paperless Budgets since Pandemic

In 2021 the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the conventional practices and the government had to take necessary steps to maintain the security and safety of everyone. Accordingly, the Finance Minister moved ahead with the first paperless Budget holding a digital tablet wrapped in a red-coloured cover with the national emblem emblazoned on it.

In the same year, 'Union Budget Mobile App' for hassle-free access of Budget documents by the parliamentarians and the general public was also launched by the Finance Minister. Continuing with the same trend the next year, the Union Budget 2022 was also a paperless budget.

IMAGE: ANI