NIC to develop network for e-way bill system

The state-run National Informatics Centre (NIC) will develop a network to implement the e-way bill system from February 1 next, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said on Saturday.

The NIC will launch a trial version of the e-way bill system from January 15.

"The NIC has been assigned to implement the network for the e-way bill system. It will develop the software and hardware for the network," Modi told reporters here after chairing the fifth meeting of the Group of Ministers.

The GoM was set up in September to address the IT-related issues of the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) operated by software vendor Infosys since the new tax regime was introduced across the country on July 1.

The GST Council earlier in the day decided to implement the e-way bill for the inter-state movement of goods from February 1 and uniform mandatory compliance from June 1, 2018.

"The GST Network has paid Rs 40 crore as advance to NIC for developing the network to roll out the e-way bill system across the country," Modi said.

An e-way bill is required for movement of goods worth more than Rs 50,000 between states.

"The e-eay bill system was launched in Karnataka on September 12. Since then, about 120,000 e-way bills are being generated daily across the state," the Bihar Deputy Chief Minister said.

When the new system is launched nationwide, 8-9 lakh e-way bills at inter-state level and 13 lakh intra-state level are expected to be generated daily.

"The GST Network will also monitor the implementation of the e-way bills system," Modi said.

The Union government on December 9 decided to advance the introduction of the e-way bills to February 1 from April 1, as many barriers have been removed. Many states did not have the e-way bill system earlier.

Revenue collection fell short in October by Rs 9,000-10,000-crore from September and August due to illegal transportation of goods earlier between the states, Modi said.

Expressing satisfaction over the working of Infosys, Modi said complaints on the GSTN had reduced by 80 per cent.

Till date, 65 crore invoices were processed and 3.25 crore returns filed on the GST Network. There were a total of 1.4 crore transactions made through the GSTN till date.

"We are trying to make filings under the GSTN as simplified as possible with more interactive features," added Modi.

In July, zero tax liability stood at 42 per cent, while it dropped to 32 per cent in August and 30 per cent in September and October.

Exports increased 30.6 per cent in November due to the ease of filings on the GST Network, he said.

"Of the 30 export sectors, 24 reported growth. The gems and jewellery sector, where there were many problems, has also reported an export growth of 32.7 per cent in November," he said.

--IANS

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