GST hurdle: E way bill put on hold
The government on Thursday deferred the electronic way (eway) bill indefinitely on the first day of countrywide rollout as consignments faced delays.Businesses faced disruptions after the portal stopped functioning from around noon, causing wide spread confusion.
Companies were seen approaching the National Informatics Centre (NIC), which is developing the e-way portal, with a flood of complaints over the past couple of days. “In view of difficulties faced by the trade in generating eway bill due to initial tech glitches, it has been decided to extend the trial phase for generation of e-waybill, both for inter and intrastate movement of goods,´´ GST@GoI, the official government handle, posted on Thursday evening.
The new rollout date will be announced later.The NIC has sought 15 days to fix the problems. E-way bill will help the central and state tax authorities track interstate and intrastate movements of goods that are part of consignments ofRs 500 billion or more.
While the e-way bill system is being developed by the NIC, other IT matters related to the GST are being managed by the GST Network (GSTN), aprivate body.Anadvance of Rs 400millionhas been given to the NIC to implement the eway bill mechanism.
“This is precisely what the industry was concerned about.It is good that the government has been quick to defer it,” said Pratik Jain, partner, PwC India.It should be introduced once the portal is completely tested, according to MS Mani, Partner, Deloitte India.Businesses faced disruptions after the portal stopped functioning around Thursday noon
The Business Standard, New Delhi, 02nd February 2018
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