The GST e-way bill system is likely to be integrated with NHAI’s FASTag mechanism from April to help track movement of goods and check GST evasion.
The revenue department has set up an officers committee to integrate e-way bill, FASTag and DMIC’s Logistics Data Bank (LDB) services, after consultation with transporters.
“It has come to our notice that some transporters are doing multiple trips by generating a single e-way bill. Integration of e-way bill with FASTag would help find the location of the vehicle and when and how many times it has crossed NHAI’s toll plazas,” the official said.
The integrated system on an all-India basis is planned to be rolled out from April, the official told agencies.
Karnataka is implementing an integrated system on a pilot basis, and integration at national level would be highly beneficial in terms of tracking of goods and ensuring that e-way bill has been generated for the correct duration of travel.
“The officers committee would explain the benefits to all stakeholders,” an official said, adding the move would also improve operational efficiencies across the country’s logistics landscape.
Currently, lack of harmonisation under the ‘track and trace’ mechanism in terms of sharing information among different agencies is affecting the ease of doing business in the country. Besides, it is leading to misuse of e-way bill.
“This would also help in preventing goods and services tax (GST) evasion by unscrupulous traders who take advantage of the loopholes in the supply chain,” the official said.
Central tax officers have detected 3,626 cases of GST evasion/violations involving Rs 15,278.18 crore during April-December period.
Touted as an anti-evasion measure, e-way bill system was rolled out on April 1, 2018, for moving goods worth over Rs 50,000 from one state to another. The same for intra or within the state movement was rolled out in a phased manner from April 15.
The government has also set up the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGSTI) to investigate cases of tax evasion and conduct search and seizure operations under the GST Act, and erstwhile Excise and Service Tax Act.
