GST Council May Slash Air, Water Purifier Tax to 5% Amid NCR Smog Crisis

• GST Council may cut tax on air and water purifiers from 18% to 5% due to toxic smog in NCR and clean water access issues.
• The proposed reduction aims to reclassify these products as essential items, potentially lowering retail prices by 10-15%.
• The move could improve affordability of purification technologies for lower-income households.
• Delhi High Court urged the GST Council to convene urgently to consider the tax reduction on air purifiers.
• The Centre cautioned against potential wider implications but confirmed the proposal is under active consideration, requiring state finance ministers' agreement.

Why It Matters: GST Council considers cutting air/water purifier tax to 5% for affordability amid pollution crisis.