Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has told the Rajya Sabha that the average annual revenue collection, including GST and excise duty, from tobacco products, stands at about Rs 53,750 crore.
The minister also said the GST rates, including compensation cess rates, on goods are fixed on the basis of the recommendations of the GST Council.
Answering supplementary questions, she said many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and consumer education forums have suggested to increase levies on tobacco products considering the health impact.
