Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of high Goods and Services Tax (GST) on assistive products for the handicapped, the Finance Ministry today clarified that such products will attract only five per cent GST.
In a press release issued today, the Finance Ministry listed wheelchairs and Braille typewriters among a number of items to now be sold with five per cent GST. They were earlier fixed between 5 and 18 per cent.
Rahul had accused the Modi government of being “insensitive” towards the most vulnerable sections of the society by imposing “disability tax” on products used by them, and demanded its full rollback.
Here's a list of items which will now attract 5 per cent GST:
1) Braille writers and braille writing instruments;
2) Handwriting equipment like Braille Frames, Slates, Writing Guides, Script Writing Guides, Styli, Braille Erasers
3) Canes, Electronic aides like the Sonic Guide;
4) Optical, Environmental Sensors;
5) Arithmetic aides like the Taylor Frame (arithmetic and algebra types), Cubarythm, Speaking or Braille calculator;
6) Geometrical aides like Combined Graph and Mathematical Demonstration Board, Braille Protractors, Scales, Compasses and Spar Wheels;
7) Electronic measuring equipment such as Calipers, Micrometers, Comparators, Gauges, Gauge Block Levels, Rules, Rulers and Yardsticks
8) Drafting, Drawing Aides, Tactile Displays;
9) Specially adapted Clocks and Watches;
10) Orthopaedic appliances falling under heading No.90.21 of the First Schedule;
11) Wheel Chairs falling under heading No.87.13 of the First Schedule;
12) Artificial electronic larynx and spares thereof;
13) Artificial electronic ear (Cochlear implant);
14) Talking books (in the form of cassettes, discs or other sound reproductions) and large-print books, braille embossers, talking calculators, talking thermometers;
15) Equipment for the mechanical or the computerized production of braille and recorded material such as braille computer terminals and displays, electronic braille, transfer and pressing machines and stereo typing machines;
16) Braille Paper;
17) All tangible appliances including articles, instruments, apparatus, specially designed for use by the blind;
18) Aides for improving mobility of the blind such as electronic orientation and obstacle detecting appliance and white canes;
19) Technical aides for education, rehabilitation, vocational training and employment of the blind such as Braille typewriters, braille watches, teaching and learning aides, games and other instruments and vocational aides specifically adapted for use of the blind;
20) Assistive listening devices, audiometers;
21) External catheters, special jelly cushions to prevent bed sores, stair lift, urine collection bags;
22) Instruments and implants for severely physically handicapped patients and joints replacement and spinal
