Finance ministry

Cigarettes, gutkha prices likely to rise as new excise and health cess kick in

A health and national security cess and excise duty on pan masala and tobacco products respectively will be over and above 40 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate, while in case of ‘biris’ it would be on top of the 18 per cent GST rate effective February 1, 2026

Updated 14 hours ago

GST value will be determined based on retail sale price on the package. REPRESENTATION PIC/ISTOCK

Finance Minister Sitharaman says 'India fastest-growing major economy'

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the Parliament Winter Session said that India is growing at 8.2 per cent, far above the global average, and remains the fastest-growing major economy. She highlighted rating upgrades, rising exports and reduced inequality as proof of strong economic fundamentals

Updated 17 days ago