BENGALURU: The Karnataka high court has ruled that the Union government is entitled to levy Central GST (CGST) as well as excise duty on
tobacco
and tobacco-derived products.
It dismissed a bunch of petitions by tobacco manufacturers who had challenged the same.
“The levy of
excise duty on tobacco
and tobacco products is a matter of public policy and this court in exercise of writ jurisdiction would not interfere with the same. The CGST itself contemplates levy of excise duty upon tobacco and tobacco products apart from they being taxed under the provisions of CGST,” Justice M I Arun said in the recent judgment.
The Dharwad bench of the HC heard petitions by Ghodawat Packers LLP, H I Tamboli and Sons, Rajnandini Foods Pvt Ltd, Balajee Pouches, Ghodawat Foods Inter
