Traders and Transports Threat One Day Strike Against Centre Led Amendments

Trade associations are extremely angry with the Modi government. They are going on a Bharat Bandh on February 26 to protest against GST, Fuel price hike, and E-Way Bill. Called over by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), the bandh is getting support from almost 40,000 trade associations nationwide. These comprise eight crore traders that are wishing to go arms against the Centre.

Joining the bandwagon will also be the transport association, the All India Transporters Welfare Association (AITWA). This apex body of the organized road transportation companies has recently decided to support CAIT in this protest. The AITWA is demanding the abolition of the new E-Way Bill or at least scrapping of certain rules.

Apparently, the new E-way Bill has led to heavy compliance costs for many. The apex body had met the Finance Minister last week expressing their challenge and plight. The latest GST laws have halved the validity of the E-Way bill, making the penalties to pay a big slap on the face of the traders. If found in violation, the penalty is 200 percent of the tax value. 

All India Motor Transport Congress, another apex transporters’ body has also repeatedly cited the e-way bill amendment as an “impractical” rule detrimental to the ease of doing business.

Under the bandh, the bodies have decided to go on a non-operational one-day strike.  According to AITWA National President Mahendra Arya, “AITWA is right in demanding abolishment of the E-way bill as the newly introduced E-invoice is good enough for preventing tax evasion. The Government can still use Fast-Tag connectivity to E-invoice and track vehicles. Transporters should not be subject to any penalty by the Government for any time-based compliance target of transit,” said Arya.