New Delhi, Jan 31: From February 1, the government is bringing a new tax structure for cigarettes, tobacco products and pan masala, aiming to tighten regulation and keep tax levels high on these so-called ‘sin goods’.

An additional excise duty will now be charged on cigarettes and tobacco products, along with a new health and national security cess on pan masala.

These new levies will replace the earlier system under which these products were taxed at 28 per cent GST along with a compensation cess that has been in place since the launch of GST in July 2017.

The government is also introducing a new MRP-based valuation system for several tobacco products such as chewing tobacco, filter khaini, jarda scented tobacco and gutkha.

Under this system, GST will be calculated based on the retail price printed on the packet, instead of factory value.

This move is expected to reduce tax evasion and improve revenue collection. Pan masala manufacturers will now have to take fresh registration under the new health and national security cess law starting February 1.

They will also be required to install CCTV cameras that cover all packing machines and store the video recordings for at least two years.

In addition, companies must inform excise authorities about the number of machines in their factories and their production capacity.

If any machine remains non-functional for 15 days in a row, manufacturers will be allowed to claim a reduction in excise duty for that period.

Even after the new changes, the government has ensured that the overall tax burden on pan masala, including 40 per cent GST, will remain around the current level of 88 per cent.

Mumbai: Shiv Sena UBT leaders on Saturday, January 31, has sharply reacted to Sunetra Pawar oath taking ceremony as the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, questioning the reason for the haste.

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey raised moral and political concerns, saying, “…Is what is happening moral?… Sharad Pawar is not aware of anything… Maharashtra is not happy with what is happening… What is the reason for this haste?…”

Echoing similar sentiments, Sanjay Raut said he had also heard reports about Sunetra Pawar taking the oath but stressed that Maharashtra is still in mourning over Ajit Pawar’s death. He also slammed the BJP, saying that the party does politics over dead bodies. “Maharashtra has not yet recovered from the grief of Ajit Pawar’s death.”

Calling it their party’s choice, he added, “This is a decision of their party. Praful Patel is a national leader. Sunil Tatkare is also a national leader. If these national leaders have made a decision, then it is their choice.”

Pawar added that Ajit Pawar’s party is an independent faction, hence, “This is a decision within their party. Discussions took place, and a decision is being made.”

He further added, “The BJP is a party that does politics over dead bodies. While Ajit Pawar was alive, their coming together was possible…, but now I don’t know. I am commenting only on the events that have transpired in the BJP case.”

Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also hinted at possible pressure from the BJP due to their alliance in the Maha Yuti government in Maharashtra. “…Decision will be made by their (NCP) side, there must have been pressure by BJP too because they are together in Maha Yuti Govt there.”

However, she welcomed the decision that Sunetra Pawar will be the first woman Deputy CM of the state. “I welcome this”, hoping that, “in her new role, she will contribute towards the vision, thinking and commitment of Ajit Pawar for Maharashtra and take Maharashtra towards progress.”

Mumbai: In a significant development in the alleged theft and extortion case involving RCF police Anti-Terrorism Cell (ATC) personnel, the Mumbai police have arrested Navi Mumbai-based bar owner Ramesh Shetty alias Ramesh Anna for his alleged role in the offence. His arrest follows the earlier arrest and suspension of four ATC personnel attached to the RCF police station.

Previously, API Vijay Sutar, head constable Yogesh Khandge, and police constables Nemade and More were arrested on allegations that they stole cash and gold ornaments during raids conducted to identify Bangladeshi nationals allegedly residing illegally in Navi Mumbai. The Chembur police are conducting further investigation in the case.

The case came to light after a social activist lodged a complaint, prompting an internal inquiry into the conduct of the police personnel during official raids. Investigators found that valuables allegedly seized during the raids were not recorded through any panchnama or official documentation.

 Several items were later reported missing, following which an FIR was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act. The accused police personnel were subsequently arrested and placed under suspension, a senior police officer said.

According to the police sources, the complainant, Asma Poly, a suspected Bangladeshi national, has been residing in Kopri village, Sector 26, Koparkhairane, Navi Mumbai, for the past 12 years and works at a bar in Turbhe. 

In her complaint, Asma stated that on January 2, 2026, at around 8.30 am, a woman in plain clothes along with three to four men visited her residence and demanded her identity proof. When she opened the door, the group entered her house. An agent who allegedly assists police in identifying Bangladeshi nationals was also present.

Based on their questioning, Asma said she realised they were police officials, who later disclosed their identities. She was allegedly asked to sit inside a police vehicle and was taken to the RCF police station. Asma claimed she was unaware that her house was being searched during this period.

Later, API Sutar allegedly asked her to contact her sister, Rebecca, in Bangladesh and seek her birth certificate. During a phone conversation, Rebecca allegedly informed Asma that police personnel had searched her house and that several items were missing. Asma has claimed in her police complaint that approximately 15 tolas of gold and cash amounting to Rs20–25 lakh were kept in the house and were missing after the raid.

Asma alleged that when she questioned the officers about the missing valuables, she received evasive replies. As her suspicions grew, she reportedly raised an alarm at the police station. Police sources said that fearing the matter could escalate, the accused officers allegedly called the bar owner Ramesh Anna, where Asma worked to the police station.

According to the complaint, between January 5 and 6, head constable Khandge allegedly facilitated phone conversations between Asma and bar owner Ramesh Anna, during which it was conveyed that Rs6 lakh in cash and a gold necklace had been handed over. When Asma enquired about the remaining money and gold, she was allegedly given evasive responses.

The complaint further states that on January 23, API Sutar again called Asma to the police station and told her that her remaining valuables would be returned through the bar owner. On January 24, Asma was allegedly informed that another Rs5 lakh in cash along with the remaining gold ornaments had been handed over to Ramesh Anna. She has also alleged that head constable Khandge threatened her not to disclose the incident to anyone.

Police are also examining a separate allegation involving the same police personnel in Kalyan. In that case, a woman identified as Sharmeen Khatoon Attar has alleged that on December 25, the accused officers visited her residence and allegedly extorted Rs5 lakh by threatening her with police action. Officials said this allegation is under verification and no conclusion has yet been drawn.

Based on Asma’s complaint, Mumbai police have registered a case against four police personnel and one unidentified person under relevant sections of the BNS Act. Police officials said further investigation is underway to establish the exact role of each accused, recover the missing cash and jewellery, and ascertain whether more individuals were similarly targeted during such raids.