LDF Oppn stage walkout over e-declaration

, Jul 14: CPI-M-led LDF Opposition in

today staged a walkout in the Assembly in protest against making mandatory the e-declaration for consignments transported to the state through check-posts, without proper administrative backup.

Seeking notice for an adjournment motion on the issue, M Hamsa (CPI-M) said implementation of the system without lack of sufficient preparation had resulted in traffic problems at the Valayar check-post boarding Tamil Nadu at Palakkad.

Replying to the notice, Finance Minister K M Mani said the issue has been resolved and the system was introduced on the basis of a report of the Chief Secretary. It was also meant to check the alleged misuse of documents in connection with ferrying of goods by traders, Mani said adding bringing transparency was the main motive behind it.

The Chief Secretary had made an inspection at the check-posts and reforms were introduced based on his report, he said. Hamsa said they were not opposing the system, but the way in which it was introduced had resulted in problems at check-posts.

The Valayar check-post has witnessed road blocks for the last three days due to several vehicles queuing up for getting clearance from tax authorities in the wake of making e-declaration mandatory, as many of the truck operators were carrying only hard copies of receipts and invoices.

The rule made it mandatory that no person shall transport any consignment of goods exceeding Rs.5000 by any vehicle without possession of tax invoice or delivery note or certificate of ownership and e-declaration in form 8F.

After Mani's reply, Speaker G Karthikeyan disallowed leave for motion. Before staging the walkout, Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan said government's 'inefficiency' in administration was reflected in tax collection also.

PTI