Tax soaps likely for physically challenged: Thomas Isaac

KOCHI: Finance Minister Thomas has said that the government plans to provide tax concessions to physically challenged persons while buying vehicles costing above Rs 5 lakhs. Speaking after inaugurating the delegate session of Kerala Federation of the Blind on Sunday, the minister said the government is in the process of correcting the issues faced by physically challenged persons. The government will assume the responsibility of undertaking the training of visually challenged persons below 30 years of age in software (assistive technologies) in the next five years, he added.

"The government will formulate a policy on giving back the tax collected from physically challenged persons when they buy vehicles after carefully evaluating the matter", he said. At present tax exemption is available to vehicles costing up to Rs  5 lakh. The finance minister also said that the matter of increasing the pensions to the blind is under the consideration of the government. The grant for the schools for physically challenged persons will be released immediately, he added. The minister also promised all help for getting bank loans and subsidies to the physically challenged persons. The government would also extend financial assistance to market products of enterprises run by physically challenged persons.