Parliament Winter Session: Health, National Security Cess not on essential commodities, says Sitharaman
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla conducts proceedings in the House during the Winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Thursday, December 4, 2025. (Sansad TV via PTI)
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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said the proposed Health and National Security Cess will not be levied on essential commodities, and the proceeds will be shared with states under specific health schemes.
Moving the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025, for discussion in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said the levy would be imposed on the production capacity of pan masala units, which is a demerit good.
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"By levying the cess, we expect that it would act as a deterrent for pan masala consumption. Part of the revenue from this cess will be shared with states through health awareness or other health-related schemes/activities," Sitharaman said.
The minister said pan masala will continue to attract the maximum 40 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST). On top of that, this Health and National Security Cess will be levied on the production capacity of pan masala manufacturers.
Earlier in the day, leaders of various Opposition parties staged a protest in Parliament complex over the issue of air pollution in the national capital. Some of the MPs also wore masks at the protest to highlight the problem of air pollution. — with PTI
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