The All India Transporters Welfare Association has extended its support to the Bharat band call given by the Confederation of All India Traders(CAIT) on February 26 against the GST. The All India Transporters Welfare Association(AITWA), which is also a foremost apex body of India’s Road Transport Sector, has demanded the abolition of the new E-Way Bill or scrapping of certain rules.
“All State-level transport associations have confirmed their support to the AITWA also in protest against the fuel price hike,” said Mahendra Arya, AITWA national president. Companies have been asked to park their vehicle between 6 a.m. to 8 p.m, godowns will display protest banners as well. Booking and movement of all bill-oriented goods will not be accepted for one day.
Penalties for a truck carrying a consignment with an expired or an erroneous Bill amount to 200% of the tax value or 100% of the invoice value under Section 129 of the CGST Act, 2017. “For small and medium transporters, especially those involved in the part-load movement of goods or retail transportation, the new rule means a burden with penalties running into lakhs of rupees for circumstantial delays. This may lead to completely shutting their shop,” Mr. Arya said.
The AITWA has been writing letters to the government on various issues mainly on the impracticable E-way Bill under the GST and the unviable pricing policy of diesel, Mr. Arya said. “The AITWA demands abolition of the Bill as the E-invoice is good enough for preventing tax evasion. Vehicles may be tracked by the government using FasTag connectivity to E-invoice. Transporters should not be subject to any penalty for any time-based compliance target of transit.” He said diesel prices should be reduced and mechanisms need to be discussed and created with the industry for regulation. “Diesel prices should be equalized across the nation.”
