The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has called for Bharat Bandh on February 26. All commercial markets across the nation will be kept closed over demand to review the provisions of Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. All India Transporters Welfare Association (AITWA) extends support to CAIT bandh call and hold ‘Chakka Jam’ (road blockade) throughout the country.

Bharat Bandh on Friday, February 26: Highlights

• The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) to keep nationwide shut all commercial markets on February 26
• Transporters associations call for Bharat Bandh to protest new E-Way Bill
• Four million trucks will remain off the road on February 26
• CAIT helds nationwide dharnas (protests) in 1,500 places to review of the provisions of the GST regime
• All India Transporters Welfare Association (AITWA) extended support to hold a chakka jam

What Will Happen on Friday?

About 40,000 trade associations on behalf of eight crore traders have supported the nationwide Bharat bandh call. National President AITWA Mahendra Arya described the protest, “All state level-transport associations have confirmed their support to AITWA in this one-day non-operation of transport in protest of the fuel price hike and scrapping of new E-way bill laws introduced by Government of India. The nature of the movement is to reject booking and movement of all E-Way Bill oriented goods for one day. All transport companies are asked to park their vehicles between 6 am to 8 pm as a symbolic protest. All transport godowns will display the protest banners. All customers will be approached by transport companies not to book or load any goods on February 26, 2021.”

Bharat Bandh: What Is Actual Issue?

Countrywide, the transporters apply the latest amendment in the GST laws. The new laws have narrowed the validity of the E-way bill, a permit associated with the inter-state and intra-state movement of goods, from 100 km to 200 km per day. Small and medium transporters face the burden of costly compliance with penalties running into millions of rupees. Under Section 129 of CGST Act, 2017, a truck carrying a consignment with an expired E-way bill, or with an erroneous E-way bill is liable to pay penalties 200 percent of the tax value, or 100 percent of the invoice value.

CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal complained, “AITWA has been writing letters to the Government of India mainly on issues of impracticable E-way bills under GST and unviable pricing policy of diesel.” Khandelwal further adds, “AITWA demands abolishing the E-way bill as the newly introduced E-invoice is good enough for preventing tax evasion. Vehicles may be tracked by the Government using Fast-Tag connectivity to E-invoice. Transporters should not be subject to any penalty by the Government for any time-based compliance target of transit. Diesel prices should be reduced, and mechanisms need to be discussed and created with the Transport Industry for future regulation. Diesel prices should be equalized across the length and breadth of the nation.” 

The New E-Way Rule Compliance More Difficult for Small and Medium Transporters

The new rule has made compliance more difficult for small and medium transporters, particularly those which handle part-load transportation of goods or retail transportation. AITWA has been approaching to the Centre on various issues of transport industry mainly on issues of “impracticable” E-way bills under GST and unviable pricing policy of diesel.

■ Also Read: Bharat Bandh 2020: 8 दिसंबर को किसानों का भारत बंद 

Bharat Bandh on Friday, February 26: Bharat Bandh at a Glance

• Over 40,000 traders’ associations to keep closed all commercial markets across the country.
• Four million trucks will remain off road on Friday.
• CAIT will held nationwide dharnas (protests) in 1,500 places
• The bandh call is against the “draconian” provisions of GST by the Centre, state governments and the GST Council.
• Bandh call demands a review of the GST system and tax slabs to simplify for easier compliance by traders.
• It is alleged that All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) and Bhaichara All India Truck Operator Welfare Association (BAITOWA) will not take part in the strike.
• A voluntary compliance is the key to a successful GST regime and it encourages more people to join the indirect tax system, increase tax base and boost revenue.
• In last four years, GST rules amended 950 times and every time increased compliance burden.

Invaluable Human Life Is Not Meant for Making Money

The precious human life is for attaining Salvation alone. All humans are entangled in this universe by virtue of Kaal Brahm and Maya to the tune that they have forgotten the real purpose of invaluable human life.

The Aim of Human Birth Is Salvation – Spiritual Leader Rampal Ji

Human birth is to worship the Supreme God Kabir Sahib and attain Salvation. The sole aim of this human life is to achieve permanent liberation from Kaal’s clutches. All holy scriptures suggest taking Naam Diksha (Initiation) from a Complete Guru. True Guru is one who has been initiated by the Supreme God and bestows three stage names. The devotee who receives the Naam Diksha (Initiation) from a Complete Guru gets rid of any kind of illness, releases from the cycle of birth and death i.e., salvation or “Moksha”. At present, SatGuru Rampal Ji Maharaj is the only true saint in the whole universe who is authorized to impart the Naam Diksha (initiation) to His disciples. 

What Should a True Disciple Do?

A true disciple must go in the refuge of enlightened Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj for achieving the real human life’s purpose. The seekers must visit Satlok Ashram YouTube Channel and read the Sacred Book “The Way of Living” for gaining the Eternal Knowledge described by Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj.