Punjab industry warns of intensifying protest against E-Trip

CHANDIGARH: Dubbing the e-Trip system as "sheer harassment" to trade and industrial community, industry in Punjab today threatened to intensify protest against the anti-tax evasion measure if it is not rolled back by July 25.

Pointing out that the E-Trip (Transportation Information within Punjab) system would "choke" the industrial growth, agitating industry representatives said it would hit the small and tiny sector hard as it would not be able to comply with the conditions of E-Trip system.

Industry in Ludhiana even took out a protest rally seeking its immediate rollback.

"SAD-BJP led state government in Punjab is bent upon derailing the industry by introducing systems such as E-Trip designed to curb tax evasion. But the fact is that the state government in the guise of such systems wants to squeeze the industry in order to generate 30-40 per cent growth in tax revenue," Ludhiana based Knitwear Club President Vinod Thapar said.

Industry pointed out that majority of small and tiny units do not have computers and internet connections and some even lack computer knowledge.

"Then how can they implement this system," said All Industry and Trade Forum, Convener, Narinder Bhamra said.

State industry even questioned the foolproof functioning of the E-Trip system, claiming that the new system had some technical glitches which caused delay in transportation of goods.

"I himself yesterday faced problem with E-Trip system when there was some error on the portal of excise and taxation department and I could not send the goods to my buyer timely," said Bhamra.

Industry has claimed that the state government's revenue had not gone up despite implementing the E-Trip system in the state.

"If the state government is serious in keeping a check on tax evasion then it can always check sales tax returns. Then why the state government is creating such blocks in the industrial promotion," said an auto parts maker Upkar Singh Ahuja.

Meanwhile, Punjab Industry Minister Anil Joshi when contacted said, "the E-Trip system is a step towards business transactions to be carried out through online system. And it will remove Inspector Raj. Moreover, now most of the units do have computers and other infrastructure therefore the contention of the industry that small units do not possess computers could not be believed."

Punjab government has brought six commodities cotton, sarson (mustard), plywood, iron & steel (excluding scrap), yarn and vegetable oil (edible and non-edible) under E-Trip to check evasion.

Under this system, any dealer selling these goods within the State will be required to submit information regarding the transaction on the website of the department before physical movement of the goods takes place.

However, transactions below Rs 50,000 will be exempt.