Vehicles owned by people with 40% disability are eligible for registration under the Divyangjan category.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has asked states to register vehicles owned by people with disabilities under the “Divyangjan” category.

The government has also directed the states 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 the tax benefits under the Divyangjan category.

It was brought to the notice of the ministry that the state registering authorities were not recording ownership type under the “Divyangjan” category, depriving persons with disabilities from availing GST and road tax benefits.

In the circular issued to the states, the ministry has clarified that vehicles owned by people with 40% disability are eligible for registration under the Divyangjan category. It also states that a Divyangjan may not be able to afford a new vehicle and once he applies for registration of the vehicle in his name it should be registered under this category. A disabled person applying for a change of ownership can also avail these benefits.

Source: TOI

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Jilumol Mariet Thomas could become the first Indian woman born without hands to get a driving license.

Jilumol is suffering from Thalidomine Syndrome. She learnt to drive using just her legs but couldn't get a driving license, as there are no provisions for driving with legs under the Motor Vehicles Act.

In 2014, Jilumol approached the Thodupuzha RTO requesting that she be allowed to take the driving license test. In 2018, she bought a custom-built Maruti Celerio automatic on the RTO's guidance. The same year, she moved the Kerala High Court and after a long legal battle, she was issued a learner's certificate.

According to the media report, Jilumol has already received a nod from the Government of India. It's now up to the state government to decide whether she could be issued a permanent driving license.

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