5% GST on devices for disabled would lead to lower prices: Fince Ministry

New Delhi, July 4: The 5 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) on devices used by phyically challenged would actually lead to a reduction in their prices, the Union Fince Ministry said on Tuesday.

“5 per cent GST rate on these devices/equipments would eble their domestic manufacturers to claim refund of any accumulated input tax credit. That being so, the 5 per cent concessiol GST rate on these devices/equipment would result in reduction of the cost of domestically manufactured goods, as compared to the pre-GST regime,” the ministry said in a statement.

The official clarification comes after Congress criticised the governemnt for levying GST on wheelchairs and Braille typewriters and demanded a full roll-back of the “disability tax”. “GST on disability aids like wheelchairs and Braille typewriters, once again shows this government’s complete insensitivity towards our most vulnerable,” Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet on Monday. The Fince Ministry statement, noting that “questions are raised about GST rates fixed for specific devices for physically challenged persons”, said that most of the inputs and raw materials for manufacture of these assistive devices/equipments attract 18 per cent GST.(IANS)