On Friday, the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises notified of a revision in guidelines on concessional rate of GST (Goods and Service Taxes) applicable on purchase of vehicles by persons with 40 percent or more orthopaedic disability.

As per the Ministry's notification, concessional GST rate applicable on motor vehicles used by them will be 18 percent instead of the otherwise applicable 28 percent.

The concessional rate will be applicable to those having Orthopedic Physical Disability of equal to or greater than 40 percent disability, irrespective of whether or not the applicant drives the vehicle himself.

It can be availed on vehicles of length not exceeding 4,000 mm that run on petrol, LPG or CNG with engine capacity not exceeding 1,200cc and diesel-run vehicles with less than 1,500cc capacity.

Persons who are eligible for the concession also require to submit medical certificate and copies of Income Tax Returns filed for the last 3 years.

The applicant will also have to submit a self-declaration stating that he/she has not availed the applicable concession in the last five years and will dispose off the vehicle after availing the concession for a period of 5 years from the date of purchase.

The concessional certificate, that can be issued by an officer of the department, not below the rank of deputy secretary, will be sent by the department to the dealer of the applicant's choice, Original Equipment Manufacturers and the Regional Transport Office (RTO) where the vehicle will be registered.