With the introduction of the e-way bills, the government took a crucial step towards the digitisation and monitoring of logistics.
E-way bill serves a crucial role in curbing tax evasion by mandating the declaration of the movement goods between parties.
In order to take this initiative further, there are plans to integrate the GST network with the FASTag mechanism of the Logistics Data Bank services of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
It will ensure the highest levels of adherence to the e-way bill system. The inclusion of the FASTag device will employ a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.
This technology will facilitate the toll payments to be made directly from the prepaid savings account that is linked to it, thus doing away with the need for stopping at toll plazas.
According to the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, all toll plazas in India will be equipped with FASTags in the next four months.
Earlier this year, it was proposed to make FASTag and vehicle tracking system a compulsion for all commercial vehicles looking for a national permit.
On the same lines, the department of revenue is also seen working towards the integration of e-way bills and FASTag mechanisms with the view to expediting the movement of goods while also containing the evasion of taxes.
