Finance Minister Sitharaman Introduces Health Security Cess Bill to Strengthen National Security and Public Health Funding

Dec 05, 2025 12:51 am CST

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has introduced the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill in the Lok Sabha, proposing a production-based cess on items like paan masala to create dedicated funding for health and national security priorities. The bill establishes cess rates ranging from Rs 1.01-25.47 crore per machine monthly and includes comprehensive enforcement mechanisms for compliance.