'Secret' build-up to the budget

By HT Correspondent

Updated On Jun 25, 2014 05:18 pm IST

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The first move: The process begins in September with a voluminous circular to all ministries, departments, and autonomous bodies. They reply with details of funds they need the following fiscal year — be it for special projects or routine expenses. These are distilled to form the contours of the budget.

Updated on Jun 25, 2014 05:18 pm IST

The first move: The process begins in September with a voluminous circular to all ministries, departments, and autonomous bodies. They reply with details of funds they need the following fiscal year — be it for special projects or routine expenses. These are distilled to form the contours of the budget.

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Ear to the ground: Finance ministry officials begin consultations with stakeholders — industry associations, chambers of commerce, farmer groups and trade unions — at North Block at Raisina Hill in November. The groups plead for tax breaks and fiscal incentives.

Updated on Jun 25, 2014 05:18 pm IST

Ear to the ground: Finance ministry officials begin consultations with stakeholders — industry associations, chambers of commerce, farmer groups and trade unions — at North Block at Raisina Hill in November. The groups plead for tax breaks and fiscal incentives.

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Clear picture emerges: Focus shifts to the big picture in the subsequent year. Final meetings are held with stakeholders, this time chaired by the finance minister himself. Plans are fine-tuned to the ruling party's political leanings and its allies' wishes. (Since this is an election year, the ministers' meetings with stakeholders took place in June, instead of January, after the new government assumed office in May.)

Updated on Jun 25, 2014 05:18 pm IST

Clear picture emerges: Focus shifts to the big picture in the subsequent year. Final meetings are held with stakeholders, this time chaired by the finance minister himself. Plans are fine-tuned to the ruling party's political leanings and its allies' wishes. (Since this is an election year, the ministers' meetings with stakeholders took place in June, instead of January, after the new government assumed office in May.)

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Quarantine of officials begins: A practice usually carried out in February, this year, top officials of the finance ministry, experts, printing technicians and stenographers will be quarantined at the North Block in the first week of July. For seven days, they are totally cut off from the outside world, including their families. Only the finance minister can visit them.

Updated on Jun 25, 2014 05:18 pm IST

Quarantine of officials begins: A practice usually carried out in February, this year, top officials of the finance ministry, experts, printing technicians and stenographers will be quarantined at the North Block in the first week of July. For seven days, they are totally cut off from the outside world, including their families. Only the finance minister can visit them.

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Operators plan marginal increase in voice tariffs, but data cost could come down with rise in users. (File photo)

Updated on Jun 25, 2014 05:18 pm IST

Operators plan marginal increase in voice tariffs, but data cost could come down with rise in users. (File photo)

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Cut off, but under close watch: Apart from the finance minister entering or exiting the quarantined area where the stenographers and other officials work and live, the Intelligence Bureau chief is known to have made surprise visits to the printing press area in the basement of North Block.

Updated on Jun 25, 2014 05:18 pm IST

Cut off, but under close watch: Apart from the finance minister entering or exiting the quarantined area where the stenographers and other officials work and live, the Intelligence Bureau chief is known to have made surprise visits to the printing press area in the basement of North Block.

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Idea, Airtel, Vodafone and Reliance Communications participated in the auction mainly to defend their existing spectrum holding.

Updated on Jun 25, 2014 05:18 pm IST

Idea, Airtel, Vodafone and Reliance Communications participated in the auction mainly to defend their existing spectrum holding.

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All the reason for strict vigil: Initially, Budget papers were printed at Rashtrapati Bhawan. But in 1950, the Budget was leaked and the printing venue shifted to a press at Minto Road. Since 1980, the Budget has been printed in the basement of the North Block.

Updated on Jun 25, 2014 05:18 pm IST

All the reason for strict vigil: Initially, Budget papers were printed at Rashtrapati Bhawan. But in 1950, the Budget was leaked and the printing venue shifted to a press at Minto Road. Since 1980, the Budget has been printed in the basement of the North Block.

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