E-way bill system gets going today

Though some states have put off the implementation of the e-way bill system, Haryana is firm on going ahead with its launch from tomorrow.

The e-way bill system for inter-state movement of goods is to be introduced throughout the country tomorrow. Haryana is among 15 states to have decided to launch the system for both inter- and intra-state movement of goods.

Punjab has deferred the introduction of the system for intra-state movement of goods for two months, while Maharashtra has deferred it till May 1.

Sanjeev Kaushal, Additional Chief Secretary (Excise and Taxation), Haryana, said: “We are prepared to launch the system for inter- and intra-state movement of goods from tomorrow. All stakeholders, including officers, traders and transporters, have been trained for the purpose. During a trial run of the system from January 16 to 23, more than 22,000 e-way bills for movement of intra-state consignments were generated.”  

  

In the GST council meeting held on December 16 last year, it was decided the inter-state e-way bill will be made compulsory from February 1, while the states can launch the intra-state e-way bill system anytime before June 1, he said.

Under the Goods and Services Tax (GST), all consignments worth more than Rs50,000 moving over 10 km from their origin will require prior registration and generation of an e-way bill through the GST network.

The validity of e-way bill is one day for goods moving from 0 to 100 km, three days for 100 to 300 km, five days for 300 to 500 km, 10 days for 500 to 1,000 km and 15 days for goods moving beyond 1,000 km.

The system will help track all taxable goods and detect potential tax evasion, the authorities claim.

The Haryana Pradesh Vyapar Mandal (HPVM), however, has decried the move and termed it another blow to the trade.

“The implementation of GST has already broken the back of traders and, now, the e-way bill will further burden them with cumbersome exercise and encourage corruption,” alleged Bajrang Das Garg, president of the mandal.

Source::: The Tribune, dated 01/02/2018