Air purifier sales increased 5 times
The increasing air pollution in Delhi-NCR has now become not only a problem but also a serious threat to people’s health. The situation has become so bad that the capital and surrounding areas feel like gas chambers. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has crossed 500 in many areas, which falls in the serious category. For this reason, strict rules like Grape-4 have had to be implemented in Delhi and Noida, but despite this, people are not getting relief from the poisonous air.
Difficult to breathe, need for air purifier
Due to pollution, people are facing problems like difficulty in breathing, burning sensation in the eyes, sore throat and persistent cough. The situation is even more worrying for children, elderly and sick people. The outside air has become so bad that people are no longer able to feel safe even in their homes and offices. Due to this fear and compulsion, people are now resorting to air purifiers for pure air.
Tremendous surge in demand for air purifiers
In the last two to three months, there has been an increase of almost five times in the sales of air purifiers. According to shopkeepers, people are buying air purifiers ranging from Rs 5,000 to more than Rs 1 lakh. The special thing is that now air purifiers are being installed not only in homes, but also in schools, hospitals, government offices and private offices.
Even shopkeepers have no stock left
Shopkeepers selling air purifiers say that after Diwali, as pollution increased rapidly, sales also increased. Whereas earlier a few hundred purifiers were sold in an entire year, this year thousands of units have been sold in just a few months. The demand at many shops is so high that the supply is not being met and customers have to wait. Some companies have even run out of stock.
Traders raised demand to reduce GST
The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), the apex organization of traders of Delhi and the country, says that the 18 percent GST imposed on air purifiers and HEPA filters is very high. According to CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal, when the government itself is serious about pollution, then there should not be so much tax on equipment related to pure air. The organization has written a letter to the Union Finance Minister on this issue demanding reduction of GST from 18 percent to 5 percent.
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Inflation became a problem for common people
Traders say that due to high GST, air purifiers become out of reach of common people. On one hand, people are falling ill due to pollution and on the other hand, they have to buy expensive equipment to get pure air. In such a situation, due to reduction in GST, air purifiers will become cheaper and more people will be able to buy them.