hello mr merchant,
thanks a lot for this summary. And I agree with your part that some
disabled are left to fend for themselves. And, by god's graice, we
dint had to face such hardships. So, now, lets be united and spred the
word.
with regards,
Udit Pandey.
On Sat, 6 Sept 2025 at 10:25, Mujtaba Merchant <[email protected]> wrote:
Dear Udit,
Firstly thank you for sharing the article. I am pasting a summary
below for those who might not have the time to read through the
complete website/ article.
You rightly mentioned that no person with a disability comes with
a begging bowl, the cost of exclusion forces some to be that way
and there are more complex relative experiences and situations
that drives a person to choose that life style of begging.
I have heard really horrific stories that make my heart bleed
where people with disabilities have been isolated, abandoned and
left to no ones care and they have to fight it out with the
society for survival. That is why I specifically spoke from a
non-privileged point of view.
Article Summary
A recent study titled "The Disability Squeeze" found that people
who are blind or have low vision face significant extra costs
related to their disability, which places a financial burden on
them. The research, based on a 2023 survey, revealed that 80% of
individuals with vision loss reported out-of-pocket expenses,
averaging 27% of their household income. This leads to a reduction
in disposable income and unmet needs for essential goods and
services, such as assistive technology, medication, and accessible
transportation. The "squeeze" is particularly harsh for
lower-income individuals, who spend up to 40% of their income on
disability-related costs. The article suggests that current
financial benefits are insufficient and calls for policy changes
to better support people with disabilities.
*From:*[email protected]
<[email protected]> *On Behalf Of *UDIT Pandey
*Sent:* Saturday, September 6, 2025 1:37 AM
*To:* [email protected]
*Subject:* Re: [AI] GST 2.0: A Reform that Still Taxes Disability
hello everyone,
first, I red shrooti's article. And, each and every single line's
true.
government should give us GST exemptions.
before saying anything further, I would request everyone to go
through this article published by AFB ( American foundation for
the blind). And, then should speak. Because, the reason why I said
that 'I agree with shrooti's article;. Is only because I have read
this article. And, even they think there should be more provisions.
Its not about who can pay its all about who cannot pay. And,
honestly, there's a still a lot difference between can's and
canot's. So, if we are living in a country, we have to think about
cannot as well. And, no disable person comes with a begging bole.
Its not about boals, its about our inclusion. And, Yes, I agree
that these assistive technologies are necessities not luxuries.
And, yes, they do ad as a burden to the cairgivers.
The article link:
https://afb.org/research-and-initiatives/research/partnered-projects/disability-squeeze-the-extra-costs-of-living-with-blindness-or-low-vision
please, everyone, this is not a time to debate, lets try to spred
this word. And, lets try to help our fello disabled and
there caregivers. Lets stand united because we got this
privillage that we are educated.
Note: this is what I think, no offence to anyone in any matter.
And if you felt bad. I am really sorry.
with regards,
Udit Pandey.
On Sat, 6 Sept 2025 at 00:10, Saurav Hegde <[email protected]>
wrote:
Hi,
I loved Shruti mam's article personally.
I don't believe in freebees but also do not in NGO
distribution programmes as most of them are hopeless in my
experience.
Government needs to incentivise inclusion, they could have
given GST exemptions to companies or institutions who procure
screen readers and other assistive aids.
If I earn good money, I have no problem in paying tax but we
need to understand that India still has a lot of poverty and
when disability adds to it, the situation gets worsened.
Government also did a disservice by allocating very little to
the DEPWD and these exemptions would have been welcome.
At-least one journalist speaks on our behalf.
Regards,
Saurav
On Fri, Sep 5, 2025 at 7:09 PM Mujtaba Merchant
<[email protected]> wrote:
Dear Avichal,
It's not just about agreeing to disagree; it's about
understanding the perspective of people with disabilities
who face unique challenges and expenses. Many of us are
not paid equally to our able-bodied counterparts, and
assistive devices are essential, not luxuries. The tax
burden adds to our already strained financial situation.
You're right that some NGOs distribute assistive devices,
but that's not a solution for everyone. Many people don't
qualify for these distributions, and even when they do,
it's often a temporary fix. We need systemic changes that
make assistive technologies accessible and affordable for all.
Moreover, we must also consider the burden borne by
caregivers and families of people with disabilities. The
financial strain of medical expenses and assistive
technologies can be overwhelming, impacting not just the
individual but the entire family. By reducing or exempting
taxes on these essential devices, we can help alleviate
some of the financial burdens and promote greater
inclusivity and support.
Furthermore, the employment rate for persons with
disabilities in India is a significant concern. With
nearly 64% of persons with disabilities not having jobs,
it's crucial that we address the systemic barriers that
prevent us from participating in the workforce. By
providing accessible education, training, and employment
opportunities, we can work towards a more inclusive society.
Regarding your comment about "raving and ranting" and
standing with a "begging bowl," I understand that you
might not intend to come across as dismissive, but it's
essential to recognize that advocacy is crucial for
creating a more inclusive society. We're not asking for
charity; we're seeking equal opportunities and access to
resources that can help us thrive.
You mentioned being happy to pay GST, citing its benefits
for the country. While taxes do contribute to the
country's development, it's essential to consider the
disproportionate impact on people with disabilities. We
face additional expenses for assistive devices, medical
care, and other necessities. By exempting these devices
from GST, the government can help level the playing field
and promote inclusivity.
Let's work together to raise awareness and push for
policies that support people with disabilities. We can
create a more equitable society where everyone has access
to the resources they need to succeed.
*From:*[email protected]
<[email protected]> *On Behalf Of *Avichal
Bhatnagar
*Sent:* Friday, September 5, 2025 6:06 PM
*To:* [email protected]
*Subject:* Re: [AI] GST 2.0: A Reform that Still Taxes
Disability
Hi mujtaba,
Your opinion is well taken; we can always agree to disagree.
The point is that in majority of the cases that I have
come across, the assistive devices are distributed by
different NGO's in bulk, thus making it free for the
consumers.
Therefore, the tax doesn't become a burden.
Moreover, those who do not qualify in the ambit of
distribution due to high family incomes can and must pay
the tax.
On Fri, Sep 5, 2025 at 5:59 PM Mujtaba Merchant
<[email protected]> wrote:
Dear Avichal,
I'm shocked and disappointed by your reaction to
Shruti's column about the GST on assistive devices.
It's disheartening to see someone from our own
community dismiss the struggles of others who are
differently privileged. Assistive technologies like
wheelchairs, hearing aids, and screen readers are not
luxuries; they're necessities that can greatly improve
the quality of life for people with disabilities.
The argument that people should just "afford" these
devices ignores the reality of economic disparities
within the disability community. Many individuals and
families struggle to make ends meet, and adding a tax
burden only exacerbates their challenges.
Rather than criticizing Shruti for advocating for
change, perhaps we should be working together to raise
awareness and push for policies that support
inclusivity and accessibility. Let's focus on creating
a more equitable society where everyone has access to
the resources they need to thrive.
*From:*[email protected]
<[email protected]> *On Behalf Of
*Avichal Bhatnagar
*Sent:* Friday, September 5, 2025 5:33 PM
*To:* [email protected]
*Subject:* Re: [AI] GST 2.0: A Reform that Still Taxes
Disability
Unnecessary raving and ranting. Why do we, the
disabled always have to stand with a begging bowl? I
am more than happy to pay GST of five percent, as I
know how this tax helps the country; the best example
was the procurement of the air defence system, which
greatly helped us in repelling all air
born attacks from Pakistan during operation Sindoor.
On Thu, Sep 4, 2025 at 1:43 PM shruti pushkarna
<[email protected]> wrote:
Hi all,
The GST Council says the aim is to “lower the tax
burden on common people, ease blocked working
capital, and facilitate ease of doing business.”
But where is the disabled common man or woman in
this narrative? My mother, who has rheumatoid
arthritis, has had 11 surgeries—some related to
her condition, many not. And yet, every hospital
admission turns into a battle with insurers who
use her chronic illness as an excuse to delay or
deny claims. Meanwhile, televisions and
refrigerators get tax relief, but assistive
devices like wheelchairs, hearing aids, or screen
readers remain taxed as if they were luxuries. If
GST 2.0 is “next-gen reform,” it is still a
generation too late for disability households.
Read my full column on why the cost of living for
persons with disabilities remains invisible in
policy, and painfully expensive in practice.
https://shruti-pushkarna.medium.com/gst-2-0-a-reform-that-still-taxes-disability-382768cfe485
Best,
Shruti
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hope that you all are safe with your family,
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we should not never speak bad, we should never see bad, and we
should never lisson bad
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