The Centre has introduced two major taxation Bills aimed at increasing excise duty on tobacco products and imposing a new capacity-based cess on pan masala. The government says the move will strengthen public health and national security funding, but states oppose losing their share of revenue. Here’s what the Bills mean, why they matter, and the debate they have triggered.

The Centre has introduced two major taxation Bills aimed at increasing excise duty on tobacco products and imposing a new capacity-based cess on pan masala.

Tobacco products to get costlier? Centre pushes new tobacco & pan masala tax bills

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The expansion ties in with a projected increase in India's air traffic, with passenger numbers expected to more than double to 300 million annually by 2030

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Coastal Tamil Nadu and certain interior parts in the state experienced widespread rain on Wednesday as the depression weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area.
Anticipating heavy rain, the administration announced a holiday for schools and colleges in several districts for today.
Rain pounded Chennai and neighbouring Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, and Kancheepuram districts triggering sudden inundation in residential areas and arterial roads. Wednesday turned out to be third consecutive wet day this week, though parts of the state have been witnessing rainfall activity since last week, disrupting the livelihood of small traders and hindering the free movement of residents.
The depression (remnant of cyclonic storm Ditwah) over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts moved slowly southwestwards and weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area over north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts and neighbourhood, the IMD said.
It was very likely to continue to m

Anticipating heavy rain, the administration announced a holiday for schools and colleges in several districts for today

Press Trust of India

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to address over 12,000 traders at the Byabasayi Sammelan 2025' here on December 17, in a major outreach to the state's MSME-driven trading community ahead of next year's assembly elections.
A business meet is also scheduled for December 18 to facilitate interactions with industry representatives, as the usual two-day international business summit is not being held this year in view of the upcoming polls.
The Byabasayi Sammelan 2025' assumes significance as the state government seeks to consolidate support from all quarters, including small businesses, in the run-up to the 2026 assembly elections.
The Confederation of West Bengal Trade Associations (CWBTA) president Sushil Poddar said the event, where Banerjee will be the chief guest, would provide a platform for the CM to connect with thousands of small traders, who form the backbone of Bengal's supply chain.
Traders create livelihood opportunities for more than one crore peopl

A business meet is also scheduled for December 18 to facilitate interactions with industry representatives

Healthcare industry body NATHEALTH has asked the government to increase public spending on healthcare to over 2.5 per cent of GDP with urgent action to tackle non-communicable diseases, including tax deductions of up to Rs 10,000 on individuals for preventive health check-ups.
In its pre-Budget recommendations to the government, NATHEALTH said it outlined a roadmap to strengthen healthcare delivery, foster innovation, and expand insurance and preventive coverage.
The recommendations call for a balanced mix of fiscal support, structural reforms, and public-private collaboration to build a robust, future-ready health system, it said in a statement.
In its recommendations, NATHEALTH asked the sector to be declared 'core infrastructure' and create a healthcare infrastructure fund of Rs 50,000 crore, saying currently there is limited access to long-term, lower-cost capital for hospitals and diagnostic networks.
New projects have long gestational periods requiring flexible mid-term ...

In its pre-Budget recommendations to the government, NATHEALTH said it outlined a roadmap to strengthen healthcare delivery, foster innovation, and expand insurance and preventive coverage

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Tobacco products to get costlier? Centre pushes new tobacco & pan masala tax bills

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