<h1>Union Budget 2020-21: Increased Customs Duties on Footwear, Furniture; Health Cess on Medical Imports; Tobacco Excise Hike.</h1> The Union Budget 2020-21 proposes increased customs duties on footwear and furniture to support domestic MSMEs, raising footwear duties from 25% to 35% and furniture from 20% to 25%. A 5% health cess on imported medical equipment aims to boost domestic production and fund health infrastructure in aspirational districts. The anti-dumping duty on PTA is abolished to benefit the textile sector. Basic customs duty on newsprint and lightweight coated paper is reduced from 10% to 5%. Excise duty on cigarettes and tobacco products is increased, while duty rates on bidis remain unchanged. Provisions for safeguard duties and checking imports under FTAs are being strengthened.