The GST Council is actively considering a substantial reduction in the goods and services tax rate on domestic air and water purifiers, potentially lowering it from the existing 18 percent to 5 percent. This proposed change involves reclassifying these purification devices from discretionary consumer goods to essential items, reflecting their critical role in addressing public health challenges posed by deteriorating air quality in major cities and uneven access to safe drinking water across various regions of India.

Sources indicate that the rate cut, if approved, could result in a noticeable 10-15 percent decrease in retail prices, thereby significantly enhancing affordability for middle- and lower-income households. This development comes at a crucial time when worsening pollution levels, particularly in northern India including Delhi-NCR, have made air purifiers increasingly necessary for mitigating exposure to harmful pollutants, while water purifiers remain vital for preventing waterborne diseases in areas with contaminated supplies.

Momentum for the proposal has built following recent judicial intervention, where the Delhi High Court, in hearings on a public interest litigation, urged the government to prioritize the matter. The court highlighted that air purifiers equipped with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters serve a preventive health function by filtering out dangerous particulates like PM2.5 and PM10, which contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, a December parliamentary standing committee report recommended slashing or abolishing GST on these devices and their consumables.

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Advocacy efforts have intensified, with former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal calling for complete GST exemption on purifiers, and industry associations pushing strongly for the 5 percent slab to stimulate demand and support public health initiatives. The Council's previous meeting in September maintained the status quo on rates, but officials note the issue is now under serious review, pending consensus among central and state finance ministers.

As stakeholders await the announcement of the next GST Council meeting date, this potential reform underscores broader efforts to rationalize taxation on health and environment-related essentials, aiming to balance fiscal considerations with urgent societal needs in the face of ongoing environmental crises.

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