Hyderabad, Jan. 28 -- All-India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS), the world's largest body of ophthalmologists, has appealed to the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to exempt customs duty and GST on sight-saving ophthalmic equipment (HS Code 901850) in the upcoming Budget 2025-26.
In a petition, signed by AIOS President Dr Samar K Basak, Honorary Secretary Dr. Santosh G Honavar, and Treasurer Dr Manoj C Mathur, it highlights the urgent need to reduce costs for critical equipment to combat India's significant burden of blindness and visual impairment.
A copy was also sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other key officials.
India has an estimated 5 million blind and 70 million visually impaired individuals, with economic loss...