HYDERABAD: Business establishments in Telangana are expecting a smooth roll out of the Electronic way bill (e-way bill) for goods above `50,000 invoice, but are hoping a relaxed approach from the tax officials in case any teething issues arise. The e-way bill system comes into effect from April 1 and is expected to handle the server load better than its initial launch on February 1, that saw the portal crumble in just one day due to overload. Some traders, however, expressed concerns over unaddressed ground realities while implementing the system.
“The last time when they introduced the e-way bill, the server could not take the load. This should not repeat again,” said Arun Luharuka, Senior Vice President, Federation of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTAPCCI). “Until and unless people go online, we cannot be sure about how the system will function. As far as Telangana is concerned no incidents of server issues have come to light so far,” he added.
After the initial server hiccup, the Central Board of Excise and Custom (CBEC) increased the load capacity of servers to 7.5 million times. They also tested the portal three times before its launch on Sunday.The invoice matching, where taxable supplies made under GST will be matched against all the taxable supplies received by the buyer, is yet to be launched. This was supposed to be the governments most effective tool against tax evaders. “In last seven or eight months, revenue for TS is stagnant. The reports we are getting from traders is that there is a large scale GST evasion. CBEC will close in on such people soon,” said a tax consultant on condition of anonymity.
Teething issues
“Initially, there were some problems with servers but not anymore. In states like Maharastra, the e-way bill ports are already working and we have been migrating on trial basis,” said Subbaraj Gowra, director, Gowra petrochemical private limited. “As far as TS is concerned, there is a fear of harassment in both inter and intrastate transportation of goods. If there are circumstantial issues that arise during transportation and the e-way bill expires, they should be a little lenient,” said Luharuka.