Central Excise Day is observed on February 24 and it commemorates the Central Excise and Salt Act which was enacted on 24th February 1944. The annual event highlights the essential role played by the Central Excise Department in the industrial development of the country.
Since the beginning of civilisations, salt has been a crucial commodity. It was considered to be one of the sources of revenue by the native governments in India in various forms, such as excise duties, transit tax and much more.
The myriad provinces and the erstwhile Indian states had their own system of administration and tax collection. It was only in 1944 that the Indian tax system was reformed by the Indian government to make payment of taxes easier. The Central Excises and Salt Act consolidated and amended the laws relating to central duties of Excise and salt having special provisions relating to salt.
To mark the occasion, various seminars, workshops, educational and cultural events, awareness programs, competitions, and award ceremonies are organised all over the country. Apart from that, awareness programs are also run by the concerned departments and higher authorities.
