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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Businessman burnt to death as moving car catches fire in Noida
Noida (PTI): A 46-year-old businessman was burnt to death after his moving car caught fire in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddha Nagar district, police said on Tuesday.
According to police, the victim was identified as Rajkumar Singhal, who was engaged in the paint business. The incident occurred late on Monday night near Sorkha village under the Sector 113 police station area.
Station House Officer Krishna Gopal Sharma said Singhal was driving towards Parthala Chowk when his vehicle suddenly caught fire for reasons yet to be ascertained.
Singhal was unable to get out of the car and died in the blaze, the SHO said.
Fire tenders reached the spot after receiving information, but the car had already been gutted, police said. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination and an investigation is underway.
Police suspect the presence of paint or other inflammable material in the car may have caused the fire to spread rapidly.
