Now Reading: India Autism Centre seeks GST exemption on disability services
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India Autism Centre seeks GST exemption on disability services
The India Autism Centre (IAC) released a white paper in Kolkata recommending a 0% GST on all disability support services, arguing that the current tax framework creates a structural barrier to care.…
The Story in Brief
The India Autism Centre (IAC) released a white paper in Kolkata recommending a 0% GST on all disability support services, arguing that the current tax framework creates a structural barrier to care. Therapy costs in metro cities reach Rs 30,000 per month, and disability-related expenses account for 20.32% of household consumption, with 57.1% of such households facing catastrophic health expenditure, reports The Hindu.
The report says existing exemptions only apply to 'charitable activities' for persons with 'severe' disabilities, excluding many who need ongoing support. It calls for shifting from provider-based to service-based tax classification, as done in Australia, Canada and the UK. Co-author Sreerupa Chakraborty noted that parents often quit jobs to care for children, while GST adds to the burden.
The Indian Opinion
The debate around taxing disability support exposes a lazy assumption that only 'severe' cases deserve help. A numerical severity score cannot capture lifelong, multidisciplinary needs like autism. The real test is whether the government will adopt a service-based exemption, as the white paper urges, rather than leaving families to prove their disability year after year. Will the next GST Council meeting take this up?
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
