+
IRF advocates to lower GST on helmets from 18% to nil
ECONOMY & POLICY

IRF advocates to lower GST on helmets from 18% to nil

The International Road Federation (IRF), a global road safety organisation based in Geneva, has called upon the Goods & Service Tax (GST) council and the Ministry of Finance to eliminate the 18% GST on helmets. In a statement issued, IRF emphasised that abolishing GST on helmets would reduce their cost, making standard helmets more accessible to the general public. This move, IRF argues, would deter people from purchasing substandard helmets, thereby lowering the risk of head injuries and fatalities among two-wheeler riders involved in road accidents.

KK Kapila, President Emeritus, IRF, stated, "IRF strongly recommends the elimination of GST on helmets. This will make standard helmets more affordable for the masses and discourage the purchase of low-quality helmets." He further highlighted that this initiative would not only reduce fatalities among two-wheeler riders but also contribute to decreasing the substantial GDP loss caused by road accidents in the economy.

Citing a Bosch report, IRF noted that India accounts for approximately 12% of global road accident fatalities, resulting in economic losses ranging from $15.71 billion to $38.81 billion. Two-wheeler riders, who constitute 31.4% of these fatalities, are particularly vulnerable due to head injuries. IRF underscored that mandating the use of standard helmets, as prescribed under Section 129 of the Central Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, and enforced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), is crucial for reducing such injuries and deaths.

IRF pointed out that helmet usage in India remains low, especially among economically weaker and lower-income groups, who often opt for cheaper, inferior-quality helmets. This practice contributes significantly to head injuries and fatalities during accidents. (Source: ET Infra)

The International Road Federation (IRF), a global road safety organisation based in Geneva, has called upon the Goods & Service Tax (GST) council and the Ministry of Finance to eliminate the 18% GST on helmets. In a statement issued, IRF emphasised that abolishing GST on helmets would reduce their cost, making standard helmets more accessible to the general public. This move, IRF argues, would deter people from purchasing substandard helmets, thereby lowering the risk of head injuries and fatalities among two-wheeler riders involved in road accidents. KK Kapila, President Emeritus, IRF, stated, IRF strongly recommends the elimination of GST on helmets. This will make standard helmets more affordable for the masses and discourage the purchase of low-quality helmets. He further highlighted that this initiative would not only reduce fatalities among two-wheeler riders but also contribute to decreasing the substantial GDP loss caused by road accidents in the economy. Citing a Bosch report, IRF noted that India accounts for approximately 12% of global road accident fatalities, resulting in economic losses ranging from $15.71 billion to $38.81 billion. Two-wheeler riders, who constitute 31.4% of these fatalities, are particularly vulnerable due to head injuries. IRF underscored that mandating the use of standard helmets, as prescribed under Section 129 of the Central Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, and enforced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), is crucial for reducing such injuries and deaths. IRF pointed out that helmet usage in India remains low, especially among economically weaker and lower-income groups, who often opt for cheaper, inferior-quality helmets. This practice contributes significantly to head injuries and fatalities during accidents. (Source: ET Infra)

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train’s Surat-Vapi Section Set for 2027

The first section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor, linking Surat and Vapi, is targeted to begin services in 2027. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2026, while Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has indicated that an inauguration could take place around the middle of 2027. The National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL) said the train being manufactured in India is expected to reach the tracks around April or May 2027. The train will undergo extensive testing before the section is opened for passenger services. The project began construction in 2021 and includ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Indian Railways Approves Four Projects Worth Rs. 7.36 bn Across Four States

Indian Railways has approved four projects with a combined value of Rs. 7.36 bn across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. The programme covers train protection, signalling, electric traction supply and a road overbridge, with each project assigned to a different railway zone. In Uttar Pradesh, Rs. 2.52 bn has been approved to extend the Kavach 4.0 automatic train protection system across 607.7 km in the Lucknow Division of North Eastern Railway. The system monitors train movements and can apply the brakes if a driver fails to observe a signal or exceeds a safe speed. The w..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Chandru Raheja Sells 1.49% Stake in Mindspace REIT for Rs. 5 bn

Billionaire Chandru Lachmandas Raheja has sold a 1.49 per cent holding in Mindspace Business Parks REIT for Rs. 5 bn through a bulk deal on the BSE. The transaction involved 9.9 mn units and was executed at an average price of Rs. 505 per unit, according to exchange data. Following the sale, units of Mindspace Business Parks REIT were trading 0.18 per cent lower at Rs. 504.05 on Tuesday. Exchange data did not identify the buyers involved in the transaction. Raheja is the chairman of real estate company K Raheja Corp. The sale involved 99,00,990 units, representing 1.49 per cent of the Mumbai-b..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code