Villupuram MP urges Union Finance Minister to continue GST concession on car purchases for persons with disabilities

Villupuram Member of Parliament D. Ravikumar (VCK) has urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to ensure the continuation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) concession on the purchase of cars to persons with disabilities.

In a letter to Ms. Sitharaman, the MP said persons with disabilities were earlier provided 10% GST concession on the purchase of cars, paying only 18% GST, instead of the standard rate. However, following the recent revision in GST slabs, all small cars are now uniformly taxed at 18%.

Mr. Ravikumar said the Ministry of Heavy Industries had issued a clarification based on inputs from the Ministry of Finance stating that “the applicable GST rate for such small cars, whether purchased by the general public or by orthopedically-disabled persons, is uniformly 18%.”

Consequently, the Ministry of Heavy Industries has declared that since the GST rate is now the same for all, the practice of issuing GST Concession Certificates for orthopedically disabled persons under the GST Exemption Certificate Scheme (GECS) will be discontinued.

“This decision amounts to grave injustice to persons with disabilities. The GST concession was not a mere fiscal measure but an important step towards ensuring mobility, dignity, and equal opportunities for the differently-abled. Withdrawing the benefit imposes an additional burden on an already disadvantaged section of society,” the MP said.

He requested the Centre to ensure that the 10% GST concession for persons with disabilities continues, in keeping with the spirit of social justice and inclusivity.