Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025 on Thursday (December 4, 2025), kicking off the Centre’s reform agenda for Parliament’s Winter session.
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ANI
The Lok Sabha on Friday (December 5, 2025) is expected to take up the ‘Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025,’ for further consideration and passing. The Bill proposes to levy cess on “machines installed, or other processes undertaken in the manufacture of pan masala” to fund India’s ‘health and national security’.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, moving the proposed Bill in the Lower House On Thursday (December 4, said the cess will not be levied on essential commodities, and the proceeds will be shared with States under specific health schemes. Introduced as a money Bill, it need only be passed by the Lok Sabha.
Also read | Parliament Winter session Day 4 highlights
On Day 4, the Parliament approved a Bill to levy a higher excise duty on tobacco and related products once the GST compensation cess ends, with the Rajya Sabha returning the legislation to the Lok Sabha. Replying to a discussion on the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Ms. Sitharaman assured that tobacco products would still be taxed under the demerit category at 40% in the GST regime.
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