Bengaluru

Congress

Rahul Gandhi

Mount Carmel College

MNC

How Chandana got the customs duty waiver

18 pc GST on assistive devices will put needless burden on those with disabilities, says visually-impaired girlShe prevailed upon the Union government to exempt customs duty on Braillers and assisted devices in the 2016 budget. And there is no way Chandana Chandrashekar, a visually-impaired girl from, will rest on her laurels and not have anything to do with GST being proposed on braillers.It was a letter from Chandana toleaderabout the 41% customs duty on assistive products that made commerce minister Nirmala Sitharaman take note of the concern and give total exemption in the subsequent budget.Chandana has since then has cleared her BCom degree course and got a job with a global professional services firm. She plans to take on GST proposed to be between 12% and 18% on braillers. She has done her research of what costs how much and has taken it up with the Prime Minister.Afflicted with a genetic disorder that affected her eyesight — Retinitis Pigmentosa, Chandana was born with poor vision that gradually deteriorated. But the girl, supported by parents Latha and Chandrashekar, studied in a normal school (ICSE ) and made it through.In her seventh standard, she learnt Braille. From then on, there was no looking back. She joined Sophia School for her PU in Commerce and passed with 71%. She subsequently got intofor BCom and in her final year, got placed in the campus selection of anprofessional services firm in their assurance department.Completely independent, right from travelling to her office in Metro train to working on an audio-assisted laptop, Chandana is also mentoring visually-impaired students on academics and choosing the right courses.The 23-year-old girl, who is clued into current affairs, has now taken keen interest in the soon-to-be introduced GST policy, which has proposed 18% taxes on the assistive products for the visually impaired.“The devices (Braillers, wheelchairs, white cane, et al) are all priced upwards of Rs 35,000 and on that 18% GST will be a blow. When the previous budget waived off 41% customs duty, levying tax again in the form of GST will pinch the pockets. I have taken the issue up with the Prime Minister this time and will campaign against the levy. Assistive products for the physically challenged cannot be used by others, then why burden us with taxes?’’ Chandana asks.She is also joined by a strong online campaign — started on change.org — to draw the attention of the Prime Minister to withdraw the GST levied on the assisted products used by the physically handicapped. The campaign reads: “GST of 18% has been proposed on Braille devices, wheel chairs and all similar devices used by the physically challenged persons. These people do not have resources to buy them at the existing prices and adding an 18% GST on them makes it prohibitive. Only last year, the Government of India withdrew the import duty on imported Braille devices. With GST, the positive effect of not imposing duty on the imported devices has been nullified.’’In November 2015, Rahul Gandhi had visited Mount Carmel College and interacted with students. Chandana, who was doing her commerce undergrad then, was seated in the last row and reached out to Gandhi when he was leaving the auditorium. She briefly explained the high custom duties on the Braille devices and also asked for his help. Gandhi handed his visiting card to her. She shot of a mail to Gandhi’s office. “The duties have now become prohibitive. These are specialised items and cannot be used for any other purpose, and there are no avenues for misuse if duties area abolished. I would be grateful if you could have these policies reversed,” she wrote.