Centre Warns of GST Pandora's Box as Delhi HC Considers Cutting Air Purifier Taxes

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The Delhi High Court is deliberating on a PIL seeking a reduction in GST on air purifiers, with the Centre opposing the move, citing potential chaos in the GST council's decision-making process. The government claims that any hasty decision without following the proper procedure could open a Pandora's Box, allowing similar petitions to flood the court. A division bench of Justices Vikas Mahajan and Vinod Kumar is hearing the plea to include air purifiers in the medical device category and reduce GST from 18% to 5%. The Centre's Additional Solicitor General, N Venkataraman, stated that the government is considering a parliamentary committee's recommendation to reduce GST on medical devices, but a process must be followed. Advocate Kapil Madan argued that air purifiers should be classified as medical devices, pointing out that they are currently being charged under a different schedule. The court noted that the decision may be put on hold until the GST council meets to discuss the proposal. The Centre has been given 10 days to file a counter-affidavit, with the next hearing scheduled for January 9. The PIL contends that air purifiers cannot be considered a luxury item, given the severe air quality crisis in Delhi. The court has expressed concerns about the time taken to make a decision, with Advocate Madan warning that the city may suffer if action is not taken soon to make air purifiers more affordable for the common man.