New Delhi, Oct. 26 -- The Centre has merged 31 separate government orders, including matters related to health cess, social welfare surcharge (SWS), and agriculture infrastructure development cess (AIDC), into one consolidated notification for ease of doing business, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) said on Saturday.

"This is a trade-friendly measure," it said. It issued a new notification on Friday merging 31 erstwhile standalone customs notifications. The new rule will be effective from November 1, 2025. CBIC is an arm of the department of revenue in the finance ministry. It is responsible for administering indirect taxes in India.

This is a step towards simplification, transparency and ease of doing business, the ...