New Delhi, Dec. 5 -- The Lok Sabha on Friday passed the Health and National Security Cess Bill, 2025, introducing a cess on the production of specified goods, including pan masala, aimed at generating dedicated funds to strengthen public health initiatives and national security measures.
Initially introduced on December 1, the Bill targets machinery and manual processes involved in manufacturing pan masala and other government-notified products. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman explained the purpose behind the levy, stating, "It is proposed to levy the Health and National Security Cess to contribute towards twin purposes of enabling targeted utilisation for public health, as well as national security."Under the Bill, the cess will be im...