Cigarettes, biris, pan masala, and other tobacco-related products are set to become costlier from tomorrow as the revised excise duty structure comes into force.
The price hike follows the government’s decision to increase excise duties on tobacco products, a measure that is expected to generate additional revenue while also acting as a deterrent to tobacco consumption. Industry sources indicate that manufacturers are likely to pass on the increased tax burden to consumers, leading to higher retail prices across categories.
Public health experts have long advocated higher taxation on tobacco, citing its effectiveness in reducing consumption and discouraging first-time users, particularly among youth. The move aligns with broader public health objectives aimed at curbing tobacco-related diseases and lowering healthcare costs.
Retailers have been advised to update prices in line with the new duty rates, while consumers may begin to feel the impact immediately at points of sale nationwide.
The excise duty revision is expected to affect both premium and mass-market tobacco products, including cigarettes, biris, chewing tobacco, and pan masala, making tobacco consumption a more expensive habit going forward.
In a historic judgment on January 31, 2026, the Supreme Court of India declared that menstrual health and hygiene are integral to the right to life and dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution, issuing a series of comprehensive directions aimed at ensuring dignity, health, gender equality and educational access for adolescent girls. The ruling acknowledged that inaccessibility to menstrual hygiene management measures, such as sanitary products and proper sanitation, undermines the dignity and participation of girls in education and daily life.
A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan emphasised that access to menstrual hygiene facilities is essential for dignified living and cannot be treated as a welfare benefit alone. The court noted that barriers to menstrual health disproportionately affect girls’ education, leading to absenteeism, stigmatization and unequal opportunities.
Under the directions, all states and Union Territories are required to ensure that every school — government, government-aided and privately managed — is equipped with functional gender-segregated toilets with usable water supply, hand-washing stations with soap, and privacy and accessibility that also cater to the needs of children with disabilities.
The bench further ordered the free provision of oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins compliant with applicable standards to girl students. These pads should be made readily accessible, preferably within toilet premises through sanitary napkin vending machines, or, where vending machines are not feasible, at a designated point or with a responsible authority in the school.
In addition, schools must establish Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) corners, stocked with spare uniforms, innerwear, disposable pads, sanitary waste disposal systems compliant with environmental rules, and emergency supplies. The Court also directed the establishment of safe, hygienic mechanisms for sanitary waste disposal in line with Solid Waste Management rules.
The Court emphasised the need for periodic inspections of school infrastructure and facilities, including toilets, availability of menstrual products, and proper sanitation maintenance. It also called for gender-responsive education and awareness programmes, suggesting inclusion of information on menstruation, puberty and related health topics, to break taboos and stigma.
The judgment stemmed from a Public Interest Litigation filed in 2024 by social activist Jaya Thakur, seeking nationwide implementation of the government’s Menstrual Hygiene Policy for school-going girls and highlighting gaps in access to sanitary products and sanitation facilities.
The Supreme Court made it clear that non-compliance with its directions — including failure by private schools to provide mandated facilities — may lead to deregistration of institutions, and that state governments and authorities will be held accountable for implementation lapses.
Legal experts and educationists have described the verdict as a major step toward gender justice, public health, and educational equality, with the potential to reduce school dropouts among adolescent girls and promote healthier, stigma-free environments across educational institutions nationwide.
Saligao, January 17, 2026: An organ donation information desk was set up at a blood donation camp organised by Lourdes Convent High School, Saligao, in collaboration with Loving Hearts Goa and the North Goa District Hospital (Asilo) blood bank.
The initiative was led by Mr Gabriel Pereira, an Organ Donation Ambassador with the MOHAN Foundation. The blood donation camp was sponsored by Peppy’s Goan Kitchen Caterers, Porvorim, and was held from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.
The camp was formally inaugurated by the Headmistress of Lourdes Convent High School, Sr. Antonette Pereira, who lit the traditional lamp and led a welcome song, inviting parents to participate in the programme.
Loving Hearts Goa is a voluntary group founded by Mr Ranjit Rodrigues and comprises regular blood donors who organise blood donation camps across Goa. Mr Mark D’Souza serves as the President of the group, Mr Gabriel Pereira as Secretary, and Mrs Sanyukta Gawde as Treasurer. At every camp organised by the group, an organ donation information desk is set up to raise awareness on the importance of organ donation.
During the camp, Mr Pereira distributed approximately 36 informational flyers to donors, addressed frequently asked questions related to organ donation, and highlighted the importance of pledging to donate organs. The flyers also included a QR code enabling individuals to easily pledge as organ donors. As a result of this outreach, four individuals pledged to become organ donors.
At the conclusion of the event, Mr Pereira expressed his gratitude to Sr. Antonette Pereira, Mr Ranjit Rodrigues and Mr Mark D’Souza for their continued support of organ donation awareness initiatives and for their collaboration with the MOHAN Foundation.
A drug awareness programme was conducted on 10 January 2025 at Goa Dental College, Bambolim, as part of the 30 Days Awareness Campaign coordinated by the District Legal Services Authority, North Goa, in association with the North Goa District Police. The programme was held between 11.15 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. with the aim of sensitising students to the growing menace of drug abuse and its far-reaching consequences.
Organised on the theme “Drug Abuse – Drug: A Menace to Society,” the session focused on creating awareness about the legal, social, and health-related implications of substance abuse. The programme brought together legal experts, law enforcement officials, and medical professionals to provide a comprehensive perspective on the issue. The dignitaries and guests were formally welcomed with potted plants as a gesture of goodwill and environmental consciousness.
Ms. Shantashri S. Sinai Kudchadkar, Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, North Goa, addressed the gathering and emphasised the importance of legal awareness as a preventive tool in combating drug abuse. She highlighted how informed citizens, especially youth, can play a crucial role in building a safer and healthier society.
PSI Sahil Warang from the North Goa District Police delivered an in-depth session on the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, explaining its key provisions, enforcement mechanisms, and real-life case studies. His talk helped students understand the seriousness of drug-related offences and the legal consequences associated with them.
Dr. Gaurav spoke on the health aspects of drug abuse, shedding light on its impact on physical and mental well-being, addiction patterns, and the importance of prevention, early intervention, and seeking help. His session underlined the long-term risks of substance abuse and the value of making informed, healthy choices.
The programme was attended by around 50 participants, including approximately 40 dental students, along with faculty members and staff of Goa Dental College. The interactive session encouraged questions, discussions, and meaningful engagement from the students.
Overall, the programme successfully reinforced the collaborative efforts of the District Legal Services Authority, North Goa, and the North Goa District Police in spreading awareness and promoting the message of a drug-free society among the youth.
Vedanta Sesa Goa has achieved a landmark milestone by contributing over 1 million meals since 2022 as part of the ongoing #RunForZeroHunger campaign. Aligned with the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon (VDHM), the initiative uses the ‘Step Set Go’ app where every kilometre logged translates into a meal donated—impacting lives across communities, children, and even animals in need.
In the 42-day 2025 edition, Vedanta Sesa Goa organised over 30 events across five states—Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Karnataka—demonstrating the company’s strong commitment to community welfare. In Goa, impactful local events were held in Bicholim, Amona, and Panjim, with over 20 individuals contributing more than 1,500 km, converting into direct meal support. The campaign reached its emotional high with the Funrise Walkathon at Divar Island, where a large crowd walked in solidarity for a world without hunger.
The campaign also integrated seamlessly with Swachhotsav – Swachhata Hi Seva 2025, an initiative led by the Indian Bureau of Mines and the Directorate General of Mines Safety. These joint efforts helped raise awareness about hygiene, cleanliness, and civic responsibility through walkathons and other outreach activities—further elevating the cause beyond hunger eradication.
Speaking at the culminating event, Navin Jaju, CEO of Sesa Goa, said, “Congratulations to the entire Sesa Goa family for their spirited participation in the #RunForZeroHunger. Across locations, the zest for a hunger-free world was visible. I thank everyone for their resolve to give back meaningfully to the world.”
Crucially, this campaign brought together a vibrant mix of employees, business partners, local communities, and students from schools and colleges, showing the power of collective action. By merging health, responsibility, and community service, Vedanta Sesa Goa has set a new benchmark in what corporate social responsibility can truly achieve—one kilometre, and one meal, at a time.
