AAP leader Anurag Dhanda on Tuesday slammed the BJP-led central government over the continuation of GST on air and water purifiers, saying that a concern raised earlier by Arvind Kejriwal has now also been echoed by the High Court. Dhanda accused the BJP of being insensitive to public health, alleging that despite worsening air quality, the government has failed to provide solutions and instead imposed what he called a “tax on breathing.”
Anurag Dhanda Targets BJP Over GST on Air Purifiers
Sharing Arvind Kejriwal’s statement, Dhanda said that clean air and clean water are fundamental rights of every citizen, especially at a time when air pollution in Delhi and large parts of North India has reached life-threatening levels. He questioned the logic of charging 18 percent GST on air and water purifiers when people are forced to buy these devices to protect their families from toxic air.
Backs Arvind Kejriwal’s Demand for Clean Air as a Basic Right
In his statement, Arvind Kejriwal strongly criticised the Centre for prioritising tax collection over public health. He said that when citizens go to purchase air purifiers to safeguard their children and elderly family members, they are shocked to find heavy GST imposed on these essential products. Kejriwal termed this move as “gross injustice” and demanded immediate withdrawal of GST on air and water purifiers.
The issue has gained momentum amid severe pollution levels across northern India, with air quality frequently slipping into the ‘severe’ category. AAP leaders argue that instead of burdening citizens financially, the government should focus on long-term solutions to control pollution.
Dhanda concluded by calling the BJP government “shameless” for not removing the tax even after repeated appeals, adding that if the Centre cannot provide clean air, it should at least stop profiting from people’s struggle to breathe safely.
