Center opposes petition seeking GST reduction on air purifiers

In the wake of severe air pollution in the national capital Delhi, the Delhi High Court today once again took up the issue of GST Cut on Air Purifiers. On this occasion, it directed the Central Government to give a detailed response on the issue of GST Cut. For this, the Central Government was given 10 days time.

It is known that Advocate Kapil Madan filed a public interest litigation in the Delhi High Court seeking to classify air purifiers as medical devices due to severe air pollution in Delhi. The court, which heard the matter two days ago, asked the central government why it could not temporarily exempt air purifiers from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in view of the severe air pollution in the national capital city of Delhi. The Delhi court heard the matter again today. On this occasion, the court expressed extreme impatience with the central government. It asked what was the difficulty for the GST Council to take a decision on the GST reduction.

However, the Centre has opposed the plea filed in the Delhi High Court seeking reduction in GST on air purifiers. It argued that it is not admissible. It said that the classification of medical devices is done by the Health Ministry and the GST Council has not taken a decision on this matter. The GST Council is a constitutional body. Since all states and union territories are participating in it, the process of reducing GST cannot be completed in two days, said Additional Solicitor General N Venkatraman, who appeared for the hearing on behalf of the Centre. He asked the court to give him time to file a detailed affidavit on the matter. To this, the court gave 10 days. Later, the next hearing was adjourned to January 9.