AHMEDABAD: Come April, persons with disabilities (divyangjan) will be able to own a vehicle in their name and register it as a divyangjan vehicle.
Earlier, only persons with disabilities such as locomotor and hand or leg impairment could get a driving licence and register a vehicle in their name. Since these vehicles have a special mention of invalid carriage (IC) on the numberplate, persons with visual impairment were not allowed to get a vehicle in their name as they would have to use the service of a driver. And, if a driver has been hired, s/he was not allowed to drive a vehicle with the IC logo.
The Union government has notified the states of these changes in the policy, and it will be implemented in Gujarat from April. States have been directed to extend necessary tax benefits to all vehicles instead of insisting on only new and adapted ones. This would enable people with disabilities who have a vehicle registered in their name but hire a driver, to avail of tax benefits under the divyangjan category.
Sameer Kakkad, a city-based disability rights activist, said he was part of the consultative committee to change the present norms. "Gujarat took the lead by implementing several changes that are now being adopted nationally. Gujarat has one of the highest numbers of persons with disabilities owning four-wheelers.
They will be able to avail GST and road tax benefits, as well as seek exemptions such as paying tolls on highways," he said.
Also, the ministry had stated vehicles with automatic gear without modification was considered suitable for driving by persons with disabilities.
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