New Delhi: The Union government on Friday (December 26) opposed the Delhi high court’s earlier intervention in a public interest litigation (PIL) that seeks a reduction in the goods and services tax (GST) levied on air purifiers. As Delhi and the national capital region continues to reel under air pollution, the PIL seeks the reduction of GST on air purifiers from 18% to 5% by classifying them as medical devices.Appearing for the Union government, additional solicitor general (ASG) N. Venkataraman said on Friday that any judicial direction would constitute the court stepping into the legislative domain and violate the Constitution’s basic structure of separation of powers, reported Indian Express.“This is not a PIL at all… GST is only a ruse. This will open up a Pandora’s box…there is a process.. We will go through the process…filing a petition and getting a mandamus (direction) issued asking the GST Council to say this or that…we are scared from the constitutional perspective, it is doctrine of separation of powers…We can’t give a committed date (on the GST Council meeting) (but) we certainly see an agenda (by the petitioner), we are very very concerned…” said Venkataraman.He added that there is already a legislative process involved in dealing with recommendations made in parliamentary standing committee reports as well as how GST Council meetings deliberate on proposals.Earlier, the Delhi high court had suggested the Union government on December 24 to consider if a virtual meeting of the GST Council can be called in wake of the deteriorating air pollution situation in Delhi and its surrounding areas.The ASG on Friday told a bench of Justices Vikas Mahajan and Vinod Kumar that the same will not be possible.“Court’s only concern was, as I can see from the order (of December 24) that having regard to the pollution situation in Delhi and surrounding areas, why the GST should not be reduced from 18 to 5%. Whatever way you want, you do it, find a way out for that. The price range for air purifiers is starting from Rs 10-12,000 and goes up to Rs 60,000. It is beyond the reach of a common man. Why not bring it down to a reasonable level where a common man can also afford it?…What is the difficulty in the GST Council meeting, and they can take a call,” remarked Justice Mahajan in response, reported Indian Express.In his response, ASG Venkataraman said that the GST Council involves the finance ministers across the nation and “each one perceives it very differently.”After taking the ASG’s submission on the GST Council meeting procedure that disallows virtual meetings, the court permitted the Centre to file a counter-affidavit within ten days’ time, and also permitted the petitioner, to file a rejoinder to the same by the next date of hearing. The matter will be next heard on January 9.