Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday asked the Union government to submit a detailed response to a petition urging a reduction in the goods and services tax levied on air purifiers, citing the capital’s deteriorating air quality and public health concerns.
A vacation bench comprising Justices Vikas Mahajan and Vinod Kumar granted the Centre ten days to place its reply on record and scheduled the matter for further consideration on January 9. The court was informed that meetings of the GST Council are required to be held in person and cannot be convened through virtual mode.
Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General N. Venkataraman sought time to file a comprehensive reply, explaining procedural constraints linked to the GST Council’s functioning.
The bench was hearing a public interest petition that calls for air purifiers to be categorised as medical devices and brought under the lower five per cent GST slab. At present, these appliances attract an 18 per cent tax.
The plea, filed by advocate Kapil Madan, argues that air purifiers should not be treated as luxury products, especially when residents of Delhi are facing what it describes as a severe public health emergency due to persistent air pollution.
Earlier, on December 24, the High Court had directed the GST Council to examine the issue at the earliest and consider either reducing or removing the tax burden on air purifiers. Friday’s hearing was aimed at ascertaining when the Council could meet and whether alternative arrangements, such as a virtual meeting, were feasible.
The case will be taken up again next month after the Centre submits its response.
