I believe the discussion has taken a different course altogether, and I'd like to clarify the main point. It's not just about affordability or misuse of free assistive devices; it's about recognizing the essential nature of these technologies for people with disabilities. The issue at hand is that taxing essential assistive devices or technologies can create a significant barrier for individuals who rely on them for their daily lives.
Moreover, we must also consider the immense financial burden borne by caretakers of people with disabilities or the elderly. These caregivers often sacrifice their time, energy, and resources to provide care and support, and the added cost of taxes on essential assistive devices can be a significant strain.
I'm not advocating for blanket exemptions based on income or potential misuse. Instead, I'm emphasizing that certain assistive devices are fundamental necessities, not luxuries, and should be treated as such. The focus should be on ensuring that these essential devices are accessible to all who need them, without additional financial burdens that can further exacerbate the challenges faced by caregivers.
Let's refocus the discussion on the critical importance of making assistive technologies tax-free, not as a handout, but as a recognition of their essential role in enabling people with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in society, while also acknowledging the vital contributions and sacrifices made by caregivers. Sincerely, Mujtaba Merchant Bangalore | INDIA Sent from iPhone ® Another well-structured mail Avichal.
Not only they make crowds, but after getting things
free of cost, they sell them for money to other disabled persons. No need to say
that there are many who queue up in lines for those extra things which they
already have in their positions. It's like there were some examples found in
Delhi and in other states that extra money/pension meant for widowed women were
happily taken by women whose husband were alive fvor years on basis of false
certificates of widowed ladies, they made by giving bribe to
officials.
winding up here otherwise it will take the
direction not desirable.
Vande Mataram
Sandesh
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, September 7, 2025 12:38
AM
Subject: Re: [AI] GST 2.0: A Reform that
Still Taxes Disability
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!
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 -----
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Doctoral research scholar
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Delhi Technological University
(formerly Delhi college of engineering)
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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)
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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)
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