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The International Road Federation (IRF), a global road safety organisation based in Geneva, has called upon the Goods & Service Tax (GST) council and the Ministry of Finance to eliminate the 18% GST on helmets. In a statement issued, IRF emphasised that abolishing GST on helmets would reduce their cost, making standard helmets more accessible to the general public. This move, IRF argues, would deter people from purchasing substandard helmets, thereby lowering the risk of head injuries and fatalities among two-wheeler riders involved in road accidents. KK Kapila, President Emeritus, IRF, stated, IRF strongly recommends the elimination of GST on helmets. This will make standard helmets more affordable for the masses and discourage the purchase of low-quality helmets. He further highlighted that this initiative would not only reduce fatalities among two-wheeler riders but also contribute to decreasing the substantial GDP loss caused by road accidents in the economy. Citing a Bosch report, IRF noted that India accounts for approximately 12% of global road accident fatalities, resulting in economic losses ranging from $15.71 billion to $38.81 billion. Two-wheeler riders, who constitute 31.4% of these fatalities, are particularly vulnerable due to head injuries. IRF underscored that mandating the use of standard helmets, as prescribed under Section 129 of the Central Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, and enforced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), is crucial for reducing such injuries and deaths. IRF pointed out that helmet usage in India remains low, especially among economically weaker and lower-income groups, who often opt for cheaper, inferior-quality helmets. This practice contributes significantly to head injuries and fatalities during accidents. (Source: ET Infra)