NEW DELHI: The Centre on Friday deferred lowering the GST on air purifiers, a day after the Delhi high court suggested a look into the matter while hearing a plea about the severe pollution plaguing the Capital.Appearing for the Centre, additional solicitor general N Venkatraman told a bench of justices Vikas Mahajan and Vinod Kumar that air purifiers cannot be treated as medical devices as per the decision of the health ministry.GST Rate Cut: Electronics to Get Cheaper from Sept 22Additionally, the Centre told the court that the classification of goods and fixation of GST rates involve a detailed statutory process handled by the GST council, a constitutional body comprising the Centre and all states.Any change, it said, requires consultation, licensing and regulatory scrutiny, and cannot be fast-tracked through a writ petition.The Centre also warned that entertaining such pleas could open the floodgates for similar demands from multiple sectors.Venkataraman further said the issue had already been examined at the highest policy level, including by the finance minister, and that courts cannot direct the GST council to alter tax rates.The bench, however, flagged the public health impact of air pollution and questioned why air purifiers, which cost between ₹10,000 and ₹15,000, should not be made more affordable to the less privileged families.The bench observed that pollution affects everyone and noted that the issue has nationwide implications, even as it accepted the Centre’s request for time.The court deferred any interim relief in a public interest case seeking cheaper air purifiers amid Delhi’s severe pollution. This has given the government more time to file a detailed response.The petitioner, advocate Kapil Madan, argued that he was not asking for the removal of tax but for correct classification under existing GST rules. He claimed air purifiers were wrongly placed under a higher tax slab instead of being treated like medical devices, which attract lower GST.With no counter-affidavit on record, the court said it could not grant any interim relief at this stage. It directed the Union government to file a detailed response within 10 days and listed the matter for further hearing on January 9, after the court vacation.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTwo Indians Killed In Canada Within A Few Days, Families Raise Question On Safety Of Students AbroadUnnao Rape Convict Kuldeep Sengar’s Bail Triggers Protests In Delhi, Victim’s Mother Demands Hanging’Burn Houses, Murder People’: Brisbane Imam’s Expose of Pakistan’s Attitude Towards MinoritiesBig Test For BNP Chief Tarique Rahman To Rein In Islamists, Calm Bangladesh Amid Violence: Ex-Envoys’Not Genocide But Anger Against Govt’: Cleric On Bangladesh Unrest, Questions Selective OutrageChina Counters Pentagon Report, Extends India Hand On Trust, Borders, Cooperation And StabilityBangladesh Unrest: Another Hindu Man Lynched; Police Claim Extortion Bid‘Hurt Hindu Sentiments’: Bajrang Dal Protests Outside Bareilly Church, Video Viral‘Bit Late but Strong’: Amit Shah Highlights India’s Semiconductor Industry Growth‘One Family Rule’: PM Modi Slams Congress at Prerna Sthal Inauguration123Photostories5 simple hacks to avoid feeling bloated after holiday mealsRaising confident teens in the digital world of 2026Chennai’s Madhavaram Lake to become city’s first restored lake with jet skis, boating this Pongal6 high-protein winter sabzi that deserve a regular place on the plateWhat makes this European Christmas Market the best in the world?Why is everyone talking about orange juice these days? Key health benefits you are missing out onHarvard study finds one-third of Delhi’s PM2.5 is ammonium sulfate: What is it and how harmful is it for human health6 New Year resolutions students should stick toHow to make high-protein laddoos using basi rotiNorth India in January: 10 places that look their best in winter123Hot PicksUAE WeatherPAN-Aadhaar linkingAmrit MondalGold rate todayIncome Tax RefundIndian Railways fareBank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingCharles BarkleyAnthony DavisStephen CurryJaipur Mosque ViolenceTravis KelceCreed HumphreyShivank AvasthiSophie CunninghamSnoop DoggUS Strike Nigeria
NEW DELHI: The Centre on Friday deferred lowering the GST on air purifiers, a day after the Delhi high court suggested a look into the matter while hearing a plea about the severe pollution plaguing the Capital.Appearing for the Centre, additional solicitor general N Venkatraman told a bench of justices Vikas Mahajan and Vinod Kumar that air purifiers cannot be treated as medical devices as per the decision of the health ministry.
Additionally, the Centre told the court that the classification of goods and fixation of GST rates involve a detailed statutory process handled by the GST council, a constitutional body comprising the Centre and all states.Any change, it said, requires consultation, licensing and regulatory scrutiny, and cannot be fast-tracked through a writ petition.The Centre also warned that entertaining such pleas could open the floodgates for similar demands from multiple sectors.Venkataraman further said the issue had already been examined at the highest policy level, including by the finance minister, and that courts cannot direct the GST council to alter tax rates.The bench, however, flagged the public health impact of air pollution and questioned why air purifiers, which cost between ₹10,000 and ₹15,000, should not be made more affordable to the less privileged families.The bench observed that pollution affects everyone and noted that the issue has nationwide implications, even as it accepted the Centre’s request for time.The court deferred any interim relief in a public interest case seeking cheaper air purifiers amid Delhi’s severe pollution. This has given the government more time to file a detailed response.The petitioner, advocate Kapil Madan, argued that he was not asking for the removal of tax but for correct classification under existing GST rules. He claimed air purifiers were wrongly placed under a higher tax slab instead of being treated like medical devices, which attract lower GST.With no counter-affidavit on record, the court said it could not grant any interim relief at this stage. It directed the Union government to file a detailed response within 10 days and listed the matter for further hearing on January 9, after the court vacation.