CHENNAI: For months, Ummul Khair, who has cerebral palsy, has been looking to replace her motorised wheelchair, which has problems with battery and joystick. She found it difficult to raise the required money and thus, has been on the lookout for sponsors. “But the proposed tax will make it costlier than it is already,” she told Express.
Khair rued the decision taken to impose GST on a range of aids and appliances used by Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). GST tax ranging from 5 to 18 per cent has been proposed on a number of essential items, including wheelchair and tricycles. This move has been criticised by PwDs, who fear its impact will be acutely felt by the financially disadvantaged section.
Khair is under no illusion when she said, “Wheelchair means freedom and independence, for all those who are rendered immobile. The tax will increase its cost, which even now is out of reach for many.” The cost of a basic wheelchair starts at Rs 20,000 and often needs to be modified, Khair added.
Census 2011 has enumerated 2.68 crore disabled population in the country, out of which nearly 1.7 crore are not employed. They are forced to depend on families, government or sponsors for various assistance.
A Prabhakaran, a PwD working in the front office of Vidyasagar, a home in Kotturpuram, fears the increased cost is likely to deter potential sponsors. “They might have the kindness to fund, but they would now think twice about why they should spend more.”
According to activists, the imposition of GST mitigates the provisions of the recently enacted Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, which recognises the principle of reasonable accommodation, provision of access and equality. They also opined that PwD’s, already burdened with additional lifetime costs for healthcare, will be further hard-pressed on account of this new tax.