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Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025: Govt tables bill for new levies on cigarettes, pan masala and gutkha

FM Sitharaman introduces Health Security National Cess Bill 2025 to replace GST compensation cess on tobacco products, including cigarettes, pan masala, and gutkha, while amending the Central Excise Act to maintain or raise tobacco duties. The move aims to fund national security and public health.