GST Council: E-Way Bill system to be implemented from January
What's the story
To facilitate seamless movement of goods across states, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley-led GST Council has decided to go for an early rollout of the nationwide "electronic-way bill system" under the GST regime.
After consulting the states, the panel decided that the mechanism would be implemented on a trial basis from 16 January 2018.
The status of the necessary framework was also reviewed.
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Details
Rules for compulsory implementation to be notified in February
Traders and transporters can use the e-way bill system voluntarily from 16 January.
The rules for implementing the mechanism compulsorily across India for seamless inter-state movement of goods will be notified on 1 February.
However, the GST Council earlier said that e-way bills would be introduced in a "staggered manner" from 1 January, and the system would be made compulsory by 1 April.
National Scale
National e-way bill system will be implemented by 1 June
An official statement said, "There are certain States which are already having system of e-way Bill for intra-State as well as inter-State movement...some of those States can be early adopters of national e-way Bill system for intra-State movement also."
It added, "In any case, the Uniform System of e-way Bill for inter-State as well as intra-State movement will be implemented...by 1st June 2018."
Early Rollout
Transporters, traders sought early implementation of mechanism
The states can choose their own dates earlier than 1 June to implement the system.
States were earlier authorized to have their own e-way mechanisms until the national system was ready.
However, several traders/transporters made representations, calling for an early nationwide implementation.
They said the absence of a national e-way bill system was causing hindrances in the movement of goods across and within states.
E-Way Bill
What is an e-way bill?
An e-way bill is an electronic waybill that transporters need to carry for moving goods worth over Rs. 50,000, within or outside a state, under the GST regime.
The provisions regarding e-way bills were finalized in Aug'17.
The primary objective of the e-way bill system is to streamline the movement of goods and monitor inter and intra-state transports and check tax evasions.
Information
Generating an e-way bill
Transporters and suppliers can generate an e-way bill by entering the details of the good to be moved (inter and intra-state) in the GSTN portal. They can create a unique e-way bill number that will be sent to the supplier, receiver, and transporter.