Thank you Sandesh Sir for your email. What some on this list are unable to grasp is that if there are more cannots in India, then they won't be shelling out anything from their pocket on buying any assistive device and would always rely upon NGO's, and those who can afford, should definitely pay GST and contribute for nation building. Take any programme of any NGO distributing anything in Delhi, and you'll find a long queue of people lining up to grab free stuff; this itself shows the extent to which people are willing to pay for assistive stuff, huh! Also, assistive devices and other mobility equipments are readily available for the disabled under the ADIP scheme, and in every camp in Delhi, we find crowds swelling up for getting those things. In this scenario, do we really need a debate on GST? Those who do not qualify for the ADIP scheme are from well to do backgrounds, and in such a case, asking for GST exemption isn't just shameful, but criminal! We have our priorities in the wrong place; instead of GST exemptions, we should be asking for more disabled friendly infrastructure, more skill training opportunities, and more policies for ensuring better and equal employment opportunities for the disabled, so that we do not face the stereotype of being otherised or excluded. Even if government were to give complete GST waver, will it in any way improve any of the points mentioned above? Its high time to reject demands of such tokenisms!
On Sat, Sep 6, 2025 at 2:14 PM Sandesh <[email protected]> wrote: > Well Avichal! > > Someone needs to speak from this perspective also. > Every points raised here by you are factual, denial is impossible. > Congratulations and keep it up! > > > Vande Mataram > ----- Original Message ----- > *From:* Avichal Bhatnagar <[email protected]> > *To:* [email protected] > *Sent:* Friday, September 5, 2025 6:05 PM > *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 >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Disclaimer: >> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of >> the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; >> >> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >> mails sent through this mailing list.. >> >> >> Search for old postings at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> --- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "AccessIndia" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To view this discussion visit >> https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/7E3BBEEE-FF2E-4AA1-8CA6-CD0B1D558CC3%40gmail.com >> <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/7E3BBEEE-FF2E-4AA1-8CA6-CD0B1D558CC3%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> >> >> >> >> -- >> >> Avichal Bhatnagar >> Assistant professor at >> Department of English, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College >> University of Delhi >> >> Doctoral research scholar at >> Department of humanities >> Delhi Technological University (formerly Delhi college of engineering) >> >> -- >> Disclaimer: >> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of >> the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; >> >> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >> mails sent through this mailing list.. >> >> >> Search for old postings at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> --- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "AccessIndia" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To view this discussion visit >> https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CADsKw8p%2BherS4ES1A0PDUvRrQN6xOLEyq%2BAiTz671TyTz7ZW-A%40mail.gmail.com >> <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CADsKw8p%2BherS4ES1A0PDUvRrQN6xOLEyq%2BAiTz671TyTz7ZW-A%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> >> -- >> Disclaimer: >> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of >> the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; >> >> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >> mails sent through this mailing list.. >> >> >> Search for old postings at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> --- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "AccessIndia" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To view this discussion visit >> https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/003501dc1e60%24ab155d30%2401401790%24%40gmail.com >> <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/003501dc1e60%24ab155d30%2401401790%24%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> > > > -- > Avichal Bhatnagar > Assistant professor at > Department of English, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College > University of Delhi > > Doctoral research scholar at > Department of humanities > Delhi Technological University (formerly Delhi college of engineering) > > -- > Disclaimer: > 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of > the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; > > 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails > sent through this mailing list.. > > > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "AccessIndia" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CADsKw8rLvrpQSLWhka5M%3DB92ErCsU5yfkEmVZSUveSmmrOVNDA%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CADsKw8rLvrpQSLWhka5M%3DB92ErCsU5yfkEmVZSUveSmmrOVNDA%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > -- > Disclaimer: > 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of > the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; > > 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails > sent through this mailing list.. > > > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "AccessIndia" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/019d01dc1f0a%246fe820d0%24c535d90a%40INBOOKX3Slim > <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/019d01dc1f0a%246fe820d0%24c535d90a%40INBOOKX3Slim?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- Avichal Bhatnagar Assistant professor at Department of English, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College University of Delhi Doctoral research scholar at Department of humanities Delhi Technological University (formerly Delhi college of engineering) -- Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "AccessIndia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CADsKw8o%2B1Do8QbQq9MXbhsqB5qPBxSNJKevpSs-DE_N7PQBw-w%40mail.gmail.com.
