New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday called out the Central government over Delhi’s worsening air pollution and asked it to reduce or remove GST on air purifiers.
A bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya said that if the government is unable to provide clean air to people, the least it can do is make air purifiers cheaper. Currently, air purifiers attract 18% GST.
Calling the situation an emergency, the court asked the GST Council to hold a meeting and decide whether GST on air purifiers can be lowered or temporarily removed.
“If you can’t give clean air, the minimum you can do is reduce GST. Give an exemption for 15 days. Treat this as an emergency,” the court said.
The court expressed displeasure that no steps had been taken so far, even as Delhi continues to record ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ air quality levels.
The remarks came while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that requested air purifiers be classified as medical devices and taxed at a lower 5% GST rate. The petition argued that air purifiers are no longer luxury items but essential for survival amid extreme pollution.
The plea stated that high GST makes air purifiers unaffordable for many people and violates the right to health and clean air.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for December 26, asking the authorities to clarify when the GST Council can meet on the issue.
Delhi’s Air Quality Remains ‘Poor’
Delhi and the surrounding NCR region continue to struggle with severe air pollution. On Wednesday morning, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) improved slightly to 336, which still falls under the ‘very poor’ category.
A day earlier, the AQI had crossed 415, placing it in the ‘severe’ range.
