Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday detailed a series of government schemes aimed at supporting tobacco farmers and assisting them in shifting to alternative crops, while also clarifying the tax structure proposed for beedi and cigarettes under the revised regime.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Sitharaman said “there are many schemes to take care of tobacco farmers, to encourage farmers to move to other crops from tobacco.” She added that 10 States were covered under the crop-diversification programme and that more than 1.12 lakh acres of land had already shifted to alternative cultivation.

She also highlighted welfare measures for beedi workers, noting that schemes cover healthcare, specialised treatment reimbursements, education assistance, and a ₹1.50 lakh subsidy per benefi

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