Delhi HC Slams GST on Air Purifiers Amid Record-Breaking Pollution Levels

Image Source: Internet

The Delhi High Court has criticized the Central government's inaction on air pollution, calling for a reduction in the 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on air purifiers. The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition seeking to categorize air purifiers as medical devices, thereby reducing the GST rate to 5%. This move comes as Delhi continues to struggle with toxic air and smog, with the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 'very poor' levels on Wednesday morning. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has had to impose the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) multiple times due to the severe air pollution. While the AQI saw some improvement on Wednesday, the national capital's air quality remains a major concern. The court emphasized the importance of fresh air for citizens, stating that reducing the GST on air purifiers is the minimum step the government can take to address the crisis.