E-way bills hit truck dispatches; inter-state movement down 15%

Dispatches by road transport under the goods and services tax (GST) was almost 15 per cent less than usual over the first 12 days of enforcing e-way bills for inter-state movement (of goods worth over Rs  50,000), say observers.  This is also attributed to building of inventory by apprehensive traders till March 31. The enforcement began from April 1. 

Truckers are neutralising this fall in dispatches through higher loading of agricultural produce, with early harvesting in this rabi season. Agricultural goods are exempt from GST and do not require generation of e-way bills. So, there was no incentive to build inventories