Tax regime rules
Under Section 80U of the income tax (I-T), an amount of Rs 75,000 (with at least 40% impairment) to Rs 1.25 lakh (those with 80% or more impaired) can be claimed for deductions by Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) who are taxpayers. The same deductions are permitted under Section 80DD for individuals and Hindu Undivided Families who spend on medical treatment, training, rehabilitation or maintenance of a dependent with a disability. The new tax regime (NTR), effected from April 1, 2020, by the Finance Ministry does not permit Chapter VI-A deductions (80U, 80DD, amongst many others). These deductions are available under the old tax regime (OTR) under which the tax payable increases. Hence, most people file under the NTR. Does the Finance Ministry presume that a person’s disability disappears by using the NTR? Do the responsibilities of persons who take care of PwDs reduce? On one hand, the government talks of encouraging Divyangjan (divine individuals, Sanskrit word for those with disabilities). ‘Purple Fest,’ launched in Goa in January 2023 and later regionally, is India’s pioneering, inclusive festival that celebrates PwDs’ achievements in various fields. Considerable amounts are spent, PwDs honoured and authorities gather brownie points, while the Finance Ministry has removed the tax concessions from the NTR. If the government cares, then the Sections 80U and 80DD should be restored in the NTR. Additionally, those who lost the benefit in the last six years should be refunded the excess tax paid to the income tax department.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Saving tigers
International Tiger Day is celebrated annually on July 29 to raise awareness about protecting the wild cats, stopping poaching and saving their natural homes. The theme this year of ‘Securing the future of tigers with indigenous people and local communities at the heart’ could not be more timely. Effective tiger conservation depends on three essential pillars: community engagement, habitat protection and human-wildlife conflict reduction. While official counts of India’s tiger population vary, the loss is clear: 628 tigers have died from poaching or natural causes over the past five years alone. Territorial fights, disease, electrocution and accidents continue to threaten their survival. To tackle this, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), through ‘Project Tiger,’ is prioritising crucial infrastructure such as wildlife overbridges and underpasses to help tigers cross busy highways safely as they expand their territories. Long-term success, however, will require a combination of stronger legal convictions, expanded patrolling, wider camera-trap networks and sustainable coexistence between local villagers and big cats.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Preserving India’s soul
Widespread agitation over the NEET controversy, repeated paper leaks and demanding re-examinations caused immense distress to several students across India, fostering deep frustration and student mental health concerns amid a stark lack of official accountability. In response, youth leaders, including Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, initiated protests and hunger strikes at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The movement gained momentum on June 28 when activist Sonam Wangchuk joined with a fast unto death. Their central demand was the resignation of the Union Education Minister. Initially, the government ignored the demonstrations. However, as support swelled, public demonstrations erupted across the nation. Authorities responded by closing metro stations, shutting down internet services and deploying heavy police action against the student protesters. Finally, on July 25, the government yielded and the Education Minister resigned. This widespread display of unity reflected the core values of Indian democracy. True democracy, however, should function within the Parliament through open discussion, receptivity to criticism and dutiful answerability, not through clashes on streets. Today, political discourse remains deeply polarised. While the ruling party remains well-organised, the Opposition is fragmented, with both sides treating each other as adversaries and vested interests creep in. A similar pattern of unresponsiveness is visible locally in Goa.
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
Team balance
Indian cricket is in a mess. Following humiliating series losses to England and Ireland, even a win against bottom-ranked Zimbabwe requires celebration. Losing back-to-back series after a T20 World Cup victory is deeply embarrassing, but the blame lies with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), chief selector Ajit Agarkar and coach Gautam Gambhir, not the players. Appointing Shreyas Iyer as T20 captain over Suryakumar Yadav was a blunder given Iyer’s inconsistent form and injury history. Reappointing Shubman Gill would have provided the needed single-captain consistency across formats. Furthermore, players accustomed to flat Indian pitches struggled with swing and bounce abroad.
S Kamat, Mysuru
