The state government on Wednesday introduced a bill to exempt the differently abled persons from paying professional tax.
Introducing the bill in the Assembly, municipal administration minister K.P. Munusamy said at present, differently abled persons with total disability in one or both the hands or legs, spastics, totally dumb or deaf persons or totally blind persons are exempted from the payment of professional tax, as per the provisions of the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) Act.
The minister said in the absence of specific definition of disability in the Act, all differently abled persons were not in a position to avail the benefit.
“The government decided that all differently abled persons shall be exempted from the payment of professional tax.
In this regard, ULB Act will be amended to exempt persons with disability as defined in the persons with disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full participation) Act, 1995 and also dumb person from professional tax,” he said.
Mr Munusamy also introduced another bill to amend the laws relating to the municipal corporations and municipalities in the state.
According to the statement of objects and reasons, the government has decided to ensure a barrier free environment for the differently abled persons by providing special facilities in the multi-storied and public buildings such as ramps.
To achieve this objective, it said, that the government has decided to suitably amend various Corporation Acts.