A heated debate was witnessed in the Delhi High Court on Friday over the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) demanding to make air purifiers cheaper and declare them as ‘medical devices’ to deal with the toxic air of Delhi. During the hearing, the Central Government strongly opposed the petition and termed it a “calculated move”. The Central Government told the court that the demand to declare air purifiers as medical devices is not practical and legally justified. The government said that such demands may impact the policy and regulatory framework and will create confusion.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) N. Venkataraman, representing the central government, argued in court that any change in GST rates on air purifiers is a policy decision made by the GST Council with the consent of states across the country. There is no scope for court intervention in such matters.
ASG Venkataraman stated that the government does not consider this petition to be a genuine public interest litigation. According to him, the petition was filed with a specific purpose and should be considered a calculated move. The Center clarified that declaring a product a medical device is determined not solely on health grounds, but also based on scientific, technical, and regulatory standards.
GRAP-4 Restrictions Removed
After the removal of restrictions under GRAP-4 (Graded Response Action Plan) implemented for controlling air pollution in Delhi, entry of vehicles registered below BS-6 has now become possible in the capital. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa clarified that now old vehicles registered outside Delhi are allowed to enter the capital , but he has appealed to the general public to reduce the use of such vehicles as much as possible to reduce pollution. Sirsa said that the air quality situation in the capital is being continuously monitored and citizens should cooperate in the efforts to reduce pollution by fulfilling their personal and social responsibility.
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates
Click Here for Chhattisgarh News
Click Here for Entertainment News