17.12.17

GST Council clears e-way bill

The GST provision requiring transporters to carry an electronic waybill or e-way bill when moving goods from one place to another, will be implemented by June 1. The GST Council decided to implement the e-way bill mechanism by June 1 after reviewing the IT network readiness. In the pre-GST era, goods supply happened only after obtaining ‘waybill’ from VAT authorities. Under GST, waybill is replaced by e-way bill to ease problems caused by waybill compliance.

Movement of goods of more than Rs.50,000 in value cannot be done by a registered person without an e-way bill, which is generated on GSTN portal. The 24th meeting of GST Council discussed the implementation of the e-way bill system.“Till such time as the national e-way Bill is ready, the states can continue their own systems,” it added.

However, trade and transporters said that this is causing undue hardship and bringing in an early all- India system of e-way bill has become a necessity.

The nationwide e- way bill system will be ready to be rolled out on a trial basis by January 16 and trade and transporters can start using it voluntarily. The e-way bill mechanism has been introduced to plug tax evasion loopholes, one reason for fall in October’s revenue collection. “The states may choose their own timings for implementation before June 1, 2018,” the statement said. The system is also expected to help dealers who do transactions in multiple states. 

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