New Delhi, Dec 4: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday assured the Lok Sabha that essential commodities will not face the proposed Health and National Security Cess. Moving the 2025 Bill for discussion, she said the charge is meant only for pan masala units.
“This cess is designed to curb pan masala use, and part of its revenue will support states through health schemes,” she said. The levy will be calculated on production capacity, while pan masala will continue under the 40 percent GST bracket.
Sitharaman said the cess is intended to tighten regulation of a demerit product while creating resources for health programmes.
Earlier, Opposition MPs held a demonstration in the Parliament complex over Delhi’s toxic air. Some legislators wore masks during the protest to signal the urgency of the pollution crisis.
