Delhi HC Grills Centre: Why Not Lower GST on Air Purifiers Amid Pollution Crisis?

• Delhi High Court questioned the Centre on reducing GST on air purifiers from 18% to 5% to make them affordable, citing severe air pollution in the capital.
• The Centre, represented by ASG N Venkataraman, stated GST reduction requires agreement from all states/UTs in the constitutional GST Council, involving physical voting.
• The court highlighted air purifier prices (Rs 10-12,000 to Rs 60,000) are beyond common man's reach and urged finding a way to lower GST.
• A PIL by advocate Kapil Madan seeks to classify air purifiers as "medical devices" under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act to qualify for the 5% GST slab.
• The Centre expressed concerns about the PIL's motives, calling it a "loaded petition," and requested time to file a detailed counter-affidavit, suggesting the petition be treated as a representation to the GST Council.

Why It Matters: Delhi HC pushes Centre to lower GST on air purifiers for affordability amidst worsening air quality.