High court rejects plea seeking to categorize mask and sanitizer as essential commodities

The Delhi High Court has rejected a PIL (Public interest litigation) wanting classification of alcohol-based sanitizers and faces masks and reduction in GST to 12% or 5% as. Hence, it is easily vulnerable so there is no need to regulate their supplies.

"There is no reason to include face mask and sanitizer as 'essential commodities' under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955," said Chief justice Prateek Jalan in a judgement.

"Rate of tax cannot be challenged in the court of law unless it is abundantly confiscatory in nature". On alcohol-based sanitizer, the rate of GST is 18% now.

The face mask and sanitizer we're firstly included in Essential Commodities act after Covid-19 but in July it was decided not to continue with it as per the order of the court.