Post GST, here’s how Indian Govt wants to ensure smooth movement of goods in the country

In a bid to ensure smooth movement of goods within the country, the Indian Government wants to rely on technology and have RFID chips and QR codes on commercial vehicles.

The proposed e-way bill will ensure transport system to be tech-enabled and end inspector raj.

As post goods and services tax (GST), entry check posts have been abolished, the e-way bill, or electronic way bill, is required to transport any good worth more than Rs 50,000. The e-way bill is proposed as a permit of sorts in electronic format, which will have details of the goods carried on a vehicle. The industry has been apprehensive that such a document will revive inspector raj, undermining the gains achieved by the abolition of check posts.

"Effort is to have high technology interface," ET quoted a government official as saying, adding that it would ensure that all data regarding an e-way bill is captured on it. Having it embedded on RFID chip or a QR code will help in checking these in a non-intrusive manner without holding up a vehicle. "These would be checked with hand-held devices or RFID chip readers," the official said.

The permits under the e-way bill will be given for a day and can last up to 15 days, depending on the transport distance.

A 15-day permit will allow more than 1,000 km transit, as per the proposed law.