ISLAMABAD, June 16: The government has increased the Central Excise Duty on solvent oil and cigarettes, reduced the CED on aerated beverages and abolished it on shipping plate.

According to the budget of 2002-03, the rate of CED on aerated beverages has been reduced from 15 per cent to 12pc.

The CED on solvent oil has been increased from Rs9 per litre to Rs13 per litre and it has been levied on import stage.

According to the new CED rates for cigarettes, if retail price of locally produced cigarettes did not exceed Rs4.94 per 10 cigarettes, the duty will be Rs2.10 per 10 cigarettes. However, if the price exceeds Rs4.92 but does not exceed Rs10 per 10 cigarettes, the CED rate will be Rs2.10 plus 69 paisa per incremental rupee or part thereof. The CED on shipping plate was withdrawn.