By Admin 
The Central Government is going to take the biggest strictness till date on the Gutkha and Pan Masala industry. After complaints of increasing use of these products, health risks and tax evasion for a long time, the government has now prepared to implement a new and strict financial provision. The government is planning to impose a new tax called ‘National Security and Public Health Cess’, which will not only strengthen control over the manufacturers of these products, but will also raise additional resources for national security and public health missions.
The government is considering the ‘Health Security to National Security Cess Bill 2025’ to be presented in the upcoming winter session of Parliament as an important economic reform to strengthen the health and security infrastructure. Come, let us know big things about it.
1. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present this bill in the Lok Sabha. Its purpose is to raise additional funds for national security and health plans.
2. The new cess will be imposed on the machines and production process that make Gutkha-Pan Masala. That means the tax will be decided on the basis of production capacity and not on the quantity of finished product.
3. Whether the goods are made by machine or by hand, it will be mandatory for all manufacturers to pay cess every month. Fixed monthly fee will also be fixed for those producing by hand.
4. After approval in Parliament, the amount collected from this cess will be spent on national security and public health projects. If necessary, the government can also double this cess.
5. There is a provision of jail sentence of up to 5 years for not following the rules. However, companies will be able to appeal from the appellate authorities to the Supreme Court.
6. Every Gutkha-Pan Masala manufacturer will have to compulsorily register. Producing without this will be considered illegal.
7. It will be mandatory for the companies on which this cess will be applicable to file monthly returns. Government officials will be able to investigate and audit.
8If any machine or production process remains closed for more than 15 days, then exemption in cess can be given for that period,
9. This bill is being considered as the biggest step of the government towards cracking down on tobacco and pan masala industry and increasing government revenue.
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