Post-GST, the elimination of checkposts by almost all states has resulted in a significant reduction in waiting time and increase in road transport efficiency.
However there are other issues to be addressed for smooth movement of goods.
What are the other hurdles in this regard?
e-waybill is an electronic way bill for the movement of goods across the country. Under GST, a registered person who intends to initiate a movement of goods of value exceeding Rs 50,000 should generate an e-Way bill.
While earlier businesses had an option to have an e-invoice or a physical invoice for the goods transported, under GST the e-waybill is mandatory.
An anomaly exists as to the purpose of this option, because an e-invoice and e-waybill would repeat the same data.
Moreover, there are differences between the State and Central governments, and among the States, on the rules and format regarding the e-waybill.
Trucks are not stopped only by tax-related check-posts but a host of other transport regulations is also a reason why trucks are stopped and inspected.
There is a need for updating the vehicle number in the e-waybill every time shipments change trucks which is delaying the transport.
What are the possible solutions?
It is better to insist on all invoices being filed online and using the online invoices as the de-facto e-waybill.
An e-waybill can use trucks as reference for checking goods instead of vehicles, thereby reducing the procedural delays.
Integration of VAHAN (a database of the ministry of road transport with all the relevant data related to the vehicles) and e-waybill (with details of goods) would simplify the checks and inspections.
RFID-enabled e-waybill and RFID chip-enabled number plate of the vehicle tagged to the VAHAN database can serve to be a modern automated check-point.
A modern automated check-point equipped with weigh-in motion technology can monitor overloading as the truck passes by.
A taskforce for the seamless movement of goods has been set up by the Government to consider reforms backed by technology solutions.
All physical inspection of goods to be subject to CCTV camera recording and all challans to be issued electronically.
Data related to discretionary inspections by officers can be subjected to the RTI Act.
Strict norms are needed to ensure fairness and transparency of enforcement.
