New Delhi, Dec. 4 -- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is slated to introduce the Health and National Security Cess Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, aiming to levy a cess on the production of specific goods, including pan masala. The move seeks to generate dedicated funds for strengthening public health initiatives and national security measures.
The Bill, initially introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 1, 2025, proposes a cess on machines or manual processes used in manufacturing pan masala and any other goods notified by the central government.
"It is proposed to levy the Health Security se National Security Cess to contribute towards twin purposes of enabling targeted utilisation for public health, as well as national secur...