E-trip system becoming bone of contention between SAD, BJP

Chandigarh: The e-trip system introduced by Punjab government to bring transparency in transactions by traders and check tax evasion has become a bone of contention between allies SAD and BJP, which feels it might affect its vote bank in urban areas. Punjab BJP brass led by party in-charge for state affairs Shanta Kumar, state party unit chief Kamal Sharma, ministers Chunni Lal Bhagat and Anil Joshi and veteran leader Balramji Dass Tandon met Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here urging him to put the scheme on hold till traders` apprehensions were addressed, party sources said here today.

Traders in Punjab are up in arms for the past about a week against the system, alleging that it was causing unnecessary harassment, sources said. The state government is insisting that e-trip system is part of the government`s drive to put all departments online and the system would stop pilferage of taxes worth nearly Rs 250 crore in the cash-strapped state, officials said. Succumbing to BJP`s pressure, Badal asked deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to resolve the matter within three days, sources added. PTI