The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council on Saturday decided to implement the e-Way bill system for the transport of goods across the country, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said.
The Council also decided to reduce the tax rate for job work for all forms of textile work to 5% from 18%. Apart from this, the Council reviewed the progress of the implementation of the new indirect tax regime since July 1, and approved the changes made by its implementation committee.
“The GST Council has given its in-principle approval for the implementation of e-Way bills,” Mr. Jaitley told reporters, following the conclusion of the 20th meeting of the GST Council. “There will be no checkposts since we want a smooth transfer of goods across States.”
Mr. Jaitley added that e-Way bills will be necessary for the transport of goods worth more than ₹50,000, and over a distance of more than 10 km. It will not apply for goods exempt from GST. “We prefer it if the process is technology-driven, with the human interface kept to a minimum,” Mr. Jaitley said.