India is eagerly waiting for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to table Union Budget 2021-22 for the upcoming fiscal year. Process of budget making for the world’s largest democracy is as interesting as the presentation. But, the case in which the budget document is carried by the Finance Minister of India has great significance and an amazing history. The color and the case have been changing with time and convenience. As of now, it has a symbolic meaning such as “Bahi Khata” (Leger) that was introduced by current finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman. For the third time in a row, the budget would be presented in “Bahi Khata” this year.
The term "Budget" has originated from the French term "Bougette" which means a 'little bag'. The Budget briefcase indicates the secrecy and confidentiality of the finance documents.
Here're 7 interesting facts about the history and significance of Budget-briefcase:
1. The tradition of carrying briefcase can be termed as “Colonial” as it was adopted from Britain where finance ministers would carry a budget document in briefcases.
2. Though the tradition has been adopted from Britain, it is not a complete copy. Traditionally, the finance ministers pass the same briefcase to their successors. In India, every finance minister has carried budget document cases as per his/her convenience.
3. Firstly, the idea of a briefcase came when former UK Chancellor William Ewart Gladstone, asked for a brief briefcase as he was known for a long speech that lasted as long as 5 hours and he would carry papers for the same purpose.
4. In India, the briefcase wasn’t adopted immediately as first finance minister RK Shanmukham Chetty who presented Independent India’s first budget, carried a leather portfolio.
5. T T Krishnamachari who was India’s finance minister from 1956 to 1958 presented the budget in a file bag.
6. Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru carried a black briefcase followed by Yashwant Sinha. While Pranab Mukherjee carried a red briefcase for the presentation of the budget.
7. The tradition completely got a new meaning when Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman discarded the British tradition in 2019 and introduced “Bahi Khata”.
