Sitharaman Set to Introduce National Security Cess Bill Amid Winter Session
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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to table the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. The legislation aims to boost national security and public health funding by imposing a levy on machines and processes involved in producing specific goods. This move comes as the Lok Sabha continues its Winter Session, with multiple reports and bills slated for discussion. On Wednesday, the Lok Sabha passed the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which increases excise duty on tobacco products. Finance Minister Sitharaman clarified that the revised duty is not a new tax but rather a redistribution of existing excise duties, with revenue going into the divisible pool and being redistributed to states at a 41% allocation. The upcoming session is expected to be intense, with several reports on key initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) and PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, presented by MPs Jugal Kishore and Sanjay Jaiswal. Other reports on consumer affairs, labour, and skill development will also be presented, providing insight into various sectors and their performance. In the Rajya Sabha, MPs Brij Lal and Harsh Vardhan Shringla will present reports on the Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice. The Winter Session of Parliament is expected to be a significant period for policy-making and legislative progress.
