GST - a headache for persons with disabilities, says SPDPOM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 05 2017:
State Platform of Disabled Peoples Organisation Manipur (SPDPOM) has stated that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which was implemented from July 1 with the aim of One Nation One Tax will in-fact result in huge inconvenience for Persons With Disabilities or PWD .
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club yesterday, SPDPOM chief advisor Dr Sapam Jasobanta claimed that the GST which has been implemented Nationwide has crushed the spirit of the PWDs which makes up 2 to 6 percent of the country' s population .
He explained that the PWDs of the country rejoiced when Accessible India Campaign and Inclusive India Campaign were introduced by the Central Government during 2014 but the newly implemented GST has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the said campaigns adding that although GST has reduced the tax rate of some assisting devices of PWDs, others remain the same .
"The tax rate of Braille typewriters, Braille paper and Braille watch have decreased but that of Braillers, carriages for disabled people (motorised and non-motorised), orthopaedic appliances and cars for physically disabled persons have not changed a bit from the previous rate", Dr Jasobanta added .
He also appealed to the authority concerned to reduce the GST rate of the aforementioned appliances to either zero or to the minimal rate .
Dr Jasobanta further appealed to the authority concerned to take into account the sufferings and inconveniences faced by the PWDs.