Delhi HC Slams Pollution Inaction, Urges GST Cut on Air Purifiers as AQI Turns Severe

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday came down heavily on authorities over continued inaction on air pollution, questioning why air purifiers continue to attract 18 percent GST even as Delhi struggles with hazardous air quality levels.

Court Questions Tax Burden Amid Public Health Crisis

Observing that access to clean air is a basic requirement for citizens, the court flagged the high tax rate on air purifiers at a time when the city's Air Quality Index has consistently remained in the very poor to severe category.

"If you can't ensure that, the minimum you can do is reduce GST," the court remarked, as quoted by ANI.

The bench made the observation while hearing a Public Interest Litigation that sought relief for residents grappling with toxic air conditions across the national capital.

PIL Seeks Medical Device Status for Air Purifiers

The petition urged the Centre to classify air purifiers as medical devices under the Medical Devices Rules, 2017. Such a reclassification would bring down the GST rate on air purifiers from 18 percent to 5 percent.

The plea, filed in the matter titled Kapil Madan vs Union of India & Ors, argued that air purifiers are no longer a luxury item but a health necessity, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory ailments, according to legal news platform Bar and Bench.

GRAP Stage 4 Enforced as Pollution Persists

Delhi has been battling dense smog and toxic air for several weeks, prompting repeated enforcement of the Graded Response Action Plan by the Commission for Air Quality Management.

Delhi NCR is currently under Stage 4 of GRAP, the strictest level of restrictions, aimed at curbing emissions during extreme pollution episodes.

AQI Shows Marginal Improvement

Despite the grim situation, the city recorded a slight improvement in air quality on Wednesday morning. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed that Delhi's AQI dropped to 336, placing it in the very poor category, compared to 415 recorded a day earlier, which fell in the severe bracket.

As per CPCB standards, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 satisfactory, 101 to 200 moderate, 201 to 300 poor, 301 to 400 very poor, and 401 to 500 severe.