Delhi HC gives Centre 10 on purifier GST plea

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Centre to file its response within 10 days on a PIL seeking a reduction in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on air purifiers, citing deteriorating air quality in the national capital.A division bench of the Delhi High Court issued the direction while hearing a plea challenging the 18% GST levied on air purifiers and related equipment. The petitioner has sought a reduction in the tax rate from 18% to 5%, arguing that air purifiers are increasingly required due to persistent air pollution in Delhi and neighbouring regions.A vacation bench of Justices Vikas Mahajan and Vinod Kumar granted 10 days' time to the central government to file its reply to the petition and listed the matter for further hearing on January 9.The court was informed by the Centre's counsel that the meeting of GST Council has to take place physically only and it is not possible to convene the meeting through video conferencing.Additional Solicitor General N Venkataraman, representing the Centre, sought time to file a detailed reply.The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the central government to classify air purifiers as "medical devices" and reduce the goods and services tax (GST) to the five per cent slab. Air purifiers are currently taxed at 18 per cent.The petition by advocate Kapil Madan said that purifiers cannot be treated as luxury items in view of the "extreme emergency crisis" caused by severe air pollution in Delhi.During earlier hearings in the case, the court had sought clarification from the government on its position regarding GST on air purifiers amid repeated episodes of poor air quality. It had also asked the GST Council to consider the issue, referring to recommendations made by a Parliamentary Standing Committee on lowering GST on air purifiers and filters.Delhi’s air quality has remained under scrutiny, particularly during the winter months, when pollution levels frequently enter the “very poor” or “severe” categories due to a combination of emissions, construction activity and seasonal factors. The petition contends that the current tax structure affects affordability at a time when demand for air purifiers has increased.The matter was listed today to inform the court as to when the Council can meet and whether it was possible for the Council to meet virtually, if not physically.With inputs from PTI