Gehlot Slams Rajasthan Government's Move to Cut Tax on Tobacco Products

Ashok Gehlot condemned BJP-led Rajasthan government's decision to reduce tax on tobacco products saying it would be a 'disastrous step'.

JAIPUR: Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today condemned the BJP-led state government's decision to reduce tax on tobacco products saying it would be a "disastrous step".

"Recently the state government has reduced the tax on tobacco products by 20-30 per cent, that was ridiculous," Gehlot said in a statement here.

"It would be disastrous step playing with the health of people who were addict to tobacco as they would use it more," the senior Congress leader said.

He said it was surprising that every state was against the use of tobacco products but the BJP government in Rajasthan has announced reduction in tax on the same.

"According to WHO, 10 lakh people die of tobacco-related diseases in India annually, and the state government was going to favour that death toll as it appeared with the move," Gehlot added.

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The New Indian Express
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