LUDHIANA: Businessmen are once again up in arms against the intra-state e-way bill system, which came into existence in Punjab from June 1. Despite their repeated reminders to the state government for either increasing the exemption limit under the intra-state e-way bill, or exempting intra-city transactions, nothing has been done so far, due to which a lot of resentment is being witnessed among businessmen.Speaking to TOI on the issue, Gurmeet Singh Kular, president of Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organization ( Fico ) said: “At least seven states in India have modified the intra-state e-way bill according to the situation in their states. The list even includes states bigger than Punjab. If they can do it, then why not our state? It clearly shows there is lack of political will among our leaders to modify the e-way bill system and give exemption to own businessmen.”According to Atul Saggar, general secretary of Apparel Manufacturers Association, Ludhiana: “Ever since the GST came into effect, there have already been a lot of difficulties for us, but implementation of the e-way bill within the city and state transactions of Rs50,000 or more has made matters worse. Because there are times when we have to send the material for several processes, and every time we need to generate the e-way bill. It is very difficult for the micro and small category of businessmen to comply with this system, and therefore, we demand it be withdrawn for within city transactions at least.”According to Narinder Bhamra, president of Fasteners Manufacturers Association of India: “Time and time again, we have been requesting the state government to do away with the e-way bill system within the state, and it should be implemented on out-of-state transactions only, but nothing has been done so far. It is really shocking that instead of realizing it is not feasible for small businessmen to comply with such a complicated system, the state government is not ready to roll it back.”

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