The e-way bill implementation in India has troubled thousands of transporters and has entirely shaken the logistics industry. Since the initial launch of the e-way bill became unsuccessful due to the portal crash, the courier services and transporters were eagerly waiting for anerrorless launch of the same. However, the government rolled-out the e-way billing system on April 1st, 2018 after making few substantial amendments to it. But an uncompromised functioning of the process is still under a great doubt.
The initial achievement
Following the repetitive requests of the transporters to streamline the e-way bill, the council decided to increase the billing capacity of the portal. As a result of the changes made in the process, the portal has, without any lag, effectively generated 2.5 lakhs bills. In addition to the achievements of the e-way bill, more than 11 lakhs transporters have registered under the regime so far. Also, on the day of the launch, the portal experienced the registration of more than 20,000 new transporters in the bill.
Measures to prevent failure
This time the government is trying to back the process up with all the necessary support factors that will prevent the bill from an abrupt collapse. In order to facilitate the transporters and answer their queries related to the e-way bill, the government has set up a call center with 100 dedicated employees. And since the e-way billing system is launched on the national level, the queries about the same will pour in immensely.
The government has also suggested the transporters taking the assistance of GST tool for an eased process of the e-way bill. Moreover, the taxation tools are integrated with a robust technology that inhibits any kind of error in the processes. Initially, when the businesses were struggling to apply for GST and obtain GSTIN, the software helped in making the process easier. Soon the software providing companies would modify the taxation tools as per the latest Goods and Services Tax Act regulations, the transporters from all over the nation would be able to take their assistance.
The bill generation
As per the rules of the e-way billing system, a bill has to be generated for the transporters after every 50 kilometers it travels. This specific rule has created a lot of discomfort for the logistics sector in India. Hence, the logistics industry thoroughly conveyed its suggestion of increasing the distance intervals for the bill issuance. But the taxation authorities disagreed. Now that the government has disapproved the transporters request, the chances for any development or change to be made in the e-way billing system has become rare. And in such cases, the role of GST tool also becomes nil.
An extensive system
Until now, the e-way billing system has been implemented effectively in 17 Indian states. Around 4.63 lakhs bills have been filed by the transporters. And amongst the 4.63 bill filers, the majority of the inflow came from Indian states like Maharashtra and Gujarat. Also, the government has tried the generation of the e-way bills easier this time as compared to the last roll-out. Consequently, the bill can be generated through a number of modes like SMS, site to site integration, API tool, etc.
With such an eased process of the bill generation, the transporters could save time, easily apply for GST and deliver the goods and services up-to-the-minute. The government has also made a decision on the cancelation of the bills. In case if the bill is generated but the details are wrong, then the transporter can cancel the bill within 24 hours. After the cancelation, the transporter would be required make the changes and generate a new bill.
Conclusion
Although the government assures an errorless e-way bill implementation, the chances of technological glitches are many. As of now, the transporters, as well as the businesses, must focus on the proper compliance of the e-way billing system as it has been rolled-out in almost all the states of the nation. With an increased capacity of the portal, the billing system would be quick as well as adaptive. And if the government could formulate a remedial measure, then the entire process of e-way billing system would easily become foolproof.
