Anti-Tobacco Forum welcomes higher GST on cigarettes, opposes lower levy on beedis
Mysuru: The Anti-Tobacco Forum (ATF), Mysuru, has supported the Centre’s move to raise Goods and Services Tax (GST) on cigarettes, cigars, and nicotine-based substitutes from 28 per cent to 40 per cent, but voiced concern over the reduction of GST on beedis from 28 per cent to 18 per cent, as reported by The Hindu.
ATF convenor Vasanthkumar Mysoremath said the higher taxation on cigarettes and related products was a positive step, but termed the relief granted to beedis as “uncalled for.” He noted that some countries impose taxes as high as 100 per cent to curb tobacco consumption and urged the government to align its tax policy with the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
“Uniformly high taxation across all tobacco products would act as a deterrent, making addiction economically unviable,” Mysoremath said, warning that tobacco use is linked to rising cases of non-communicable diseases among youth.
Citing the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), which states that of the estimated 274.9 million users, 163.7 million use smokeless tobacco, 68.9 million smoke tobacco, and 42.3 million use both, he stated that more than 35% of Indian people use tobacco in some form.
The forum has urged the Centre to reconsider its decision on beedis and adopt stronger fiscal measures to reduce overall tobacco consumption.
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Road crash in UP leaves 10 dead
Lakhimpur Kheri (UP) (PTI): Ten people were killed when a van collided head-on with a truck on the Sisaiya-Lakhimpur national highway on Monday, police said.
The van was going to Sisaiya from Lakhimpur when the accident took place between Unchgaon and Bharehta villages.
Circle Officer of Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh, said all nine passengers travelling in the van and the driver were killed.
District Magistrate of Lakhimpur Kheri Anjani Kumar Singh told reporters that the van collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction, leading to nine casualties on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries at the district hospital.
Circle Officer, Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh told PTI, "Efforts are on to establish the identity of other deceased persons."
The seven of the deceased have been identified as Jaideep Singh (25), Pawan (23), Sohan (21), Ram Goyal (42), Sahajram (35), Pappu (18), all residents of Bahraich district and Adnan Khan (15), a resident of Lakhimpur Kheri district, police said.
Condoling the loss of lives in the accident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a post on X, said, "The loss of life in the unfortunate road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply distressing and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved families."
"I have directed the local administration to provide prompt and adequate assistance to the injured and the victims. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed souls a place at His divine feet and to bestow a speedy recovery upon the injured," Adityanath said on X.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak too condoled the loss of lives in the accident.
"The loss of lives resulting from the road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply tragic and heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families," Maurya said.
