International Road Federation wants no GST on helmets, reason is MoRTH's shocking figures
Not wearing helmets by two-wheeler drivers has been found to be an important reason for deaths in road accidents. In such a situation, to reduce the number of deaths in road accidents and to encourage the use of helmets, a proposal has been made to reduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on it. The International Road Federation (IRF) has expressed concern over the increasing number of deaths of two-wheeler riders due to not wearing helmets. The agency now wants GST on helmets to be removed completely. Currently, helmet prices in India attract 18 percent GST.
Bhavika Nandwana
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Worrying revelations in the report
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) released a report on road accidents in India in 2022. The report said that more than 4.61 lakh road accidents were recorded in India last year. In which more than 1.68 lakh people lost their lives. Of the total number of deaths, around 50,029 were riding two-wheelers without helmets. More than 70 percent of them were riders.
Why should GST be reduced?
In a country where two-wheelers are sold more than four-wheelers, helmet use is less common. Despite strict laws against driving without helmets, people are found breaking this traffic rule every day even in big cities. It has been observed that most of the two-wheeler riders prefer to buy helmets which are cheap. In such a situation, their quality gets compromised and they become inadequate in case of an accident. IRF President KK Kapila said, "IRF strongly recommends that there should be no GST on helmets. This will help in making standard helmets more affordable for the public. Which will discourage them from purchasing inferior quality helmets." '
How much is the fine?
According to Section 129 of the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, it is mandatory for all two-wheeler riders to wear a helmet. Violating this traffic rule will attract a fine of up to Rs 1,000 in Delhi. Due to this, the driving license can also be canceled for three months.
So many violations
Many cases of driving without helmet have come to light in Delhi. According to Delhi Police data, more than one lakh challans were issued to two-wheeler drivers for not wearing helmets within the first four months this year. You will be surprised to know that the number of people riding two-wheelers without wearing helmets between January and April this year is more than the total number of challans issued for this violation in the national capital last year.
