New Delhi: The GST Council may soon discuss a proposal to reduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on domestic air and water purifiers from 18% to 5%. According to media reports, this move will be an attempt to remove these products from the luxury category and bring them into the category of essential household items.
If the proposal is approved, the prices of these purifiers are expected to decrease by 10-15%, which could provide relief to low-income families facing the problem of air pollution and unsafe drinking water.
The date of the Council’s next meeting has not yet been announced. A decision on this proposal could not be reached at the previous meeting in September due to the lack of consent from the state finance ministers.
Court’s Strictness Amid Pollution Crisis
The Delhi High Court recently directed the Central Government to consider reducing GST on air purifiers by calling a virtual meeting, if necessary, as air quality in Delhi-NCR continues to deteriorate.
The court said:
“When we are unable to provide clean air to citizens, at least the GST on air purifiers should be reduced.”
This comment was made during the hearing of a public interest litigation seeking to classify purifiers with HEPA filters as medical devices. According to the petition, these devices help prevent serious respiratory and cardiovascular diseases by reducing exposure to hazardous pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10.
Industry and leaders demand: GST reduction
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has demanded the complete removal of GST on air purifiers. Meanwhile, trade organizations are demanding that it be brought under the 5% tax slab so that more people can purchase it.
However, Additional Solicitor General N. Venkataraman told the court that the GST Council meeting should be held in a physical setting, following the prescribed procedure.