The State Government has decided to abolish all unified inter-State check-gates, excepting the Nalda border check-gate, from April 1, 2015 in view of their purposes being served through various online systems now.
Finance Minister Pradip Kumar Amat informed this in the State Assembly on Monday. He said the Nalda border check gate in Jajpur district would be operated by the Steel and Mines Department only for the purpose of minerals.
“With computorisation, all types of statutory forms like Way bills and C-Forms are issued online. The transaction through E-Way Bills are captured onlume in the VATIs and thus the information is available to the Commercial Tax Organisation and can be cross checked with the return in the system itself,” the Minister reasoned out for abolition of the check gates.
Stating that limited number of check gates can’t check every vehicle in view of availability of alternative roads and bypasses, the Minister said, “The decision was taken as these check gates are posing difficulties for movement of passenger and goods vehicles and creating traffic jam. Allegations are also received from time to time regarding corrupt practices and harassments involving some outside elements at these check gates.”
Establishment of check gates is also not envisaged under the proposed GST system, he said. He said mobile enforcement using modern tools and devices would be adopted after abolition of the check gates. The existing man power would be used for such enforcements.
The abolition of border check gates would promote “Ease of Doing Business” and Tourism in State, said the Minister. It may be noted that there are 22 order check gates now operating in different bordering districts.