AIOS requests tax exemptions for essential eye care equipment in Budget 2025-26

AIOS states that waiving off customs duty and GST exemption on sight-saving ophthalmic equipment can address the financial burden of blindness
AIOS requests tax exemptions for essential eye care equipment in Budget 2025-26

The All-India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS), the largest professional organisation of ophthalmologists globally, has petitioned the Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, to exempt customs duty and GST on sight-saving ophthalmic equipment under HS Code 901850 in the Budget 2025-26.

The petition was submitted by Dr Samar K Basak, President; Dr Santosh G Honavar, Honorary Secretary; and Dr Manoj C Mathur, Treasurer. Copies of the petition were shared with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi; Minister of Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda; Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary; Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, PK Mishra; and Finance Secretary, M Nagaraju.

Dr Santosh G Honavar stated in a press note issued in Hyderabad that the petition represents AIOS office-bearers, including Dr Partha Biswas, President-Elect; Prof. Jeevan S Titiyal, Vice President; Dr Harbansh Lal, Immediate Past President; Prof. Namrata Sharma, Chair, Scientific Committee; Dr Prashant K Bawankule, Chair, Academic and Research Committee; Prof. M Vanathi, Editor, Indian Journal of Ophthalmology; Dr Krishna Prasad Kudlu, Editor, Proceedings; Dr CV Gopala Raju, Joint Secretary; and Dr P Elankumaran, Joint Treasurer.

The petition states that AIOS members contribute to the goals of the Government of India, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), and the World Health Organization (WHO) in addressing blindness and visual impairment. Indian ophthalmologists directly impact the lives of approximately five lakh patients daily.

It informs that blindness imposes a significant economic burden, including direct costs such as treatment and surgery expenses and indirect costs related to lost productivity and caregiving. Visual impairment affects individuals’ ability to work, leading to decreased income and increased dependency.

The economic loss due to blindness in India is estimated at Rs 845 billion annually, with potential productivity losses amounting to Rs 646 billion. The total economic impact of blindness and visual impairment is estimated at Rs 1,500 billion annually. The cumulative Gross National Income (GNI) loss from avoidable blindness is estimated at Rs 11,778.6 billion.

The petition refers to a past government policy that fully exempted 58 specified sight-saving ophthalmic equipment under HS Code 901850 from customs duty through Notification 69/93-CE. This measure contributed to improvements in eye care accessibility and quality. However, over time, customs duty has been reinstated at 7.5-10 per cent, along with IGST of 12 per cent and cess. The AIOS statement claims that this has increased the capital and operational expenditure of eye hospitals and affected the affordability of subsidised and free eye care.

According to AIOS, reinstating the customs duty and GST exemption for ophthalmic sight-saving equipment can address the financial burden of blindness. The potential gain to GNI from mitigating blindness and visual impairment is estimated at Rs 1,20,000 billion annually. The policy change would enhance access to essential eye care equipment, reducing the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment while easing the economic burden on individuals and healthcare institutions.

The AIOS office-bearers have urged the Finance Minister to consider the petition favourably and take the necessary steps to support eye health in India.

All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS)Budget 2025finance ministerJP NaddaMinister of Health and Family WelfareNarendra ModiNirmala Sitharaman
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