The GST Council, in its 24th meeting held on 16 December 2017 through video conferencing under the chairmanship of the Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, took key decisions to ensure uniform and smooth implementation of the e-way bill system across the country. The Council reviewed the readiness of the national e-way bill infrastructure in response to concerns raised by trade and transporters about difficulties caused by multiple State-level e-way bill systems, particularly for inter-State movement of goods. To address these issues, the Council decided that the nationwide e-way bill system would be made available on a trial basis by 16 January 2018, allowing voluntary use by businesses and transporters. It further approved that the e-way bill would become compulsory for inter-State movement of goods with effect from 1 February 2018, ensuring uniformity and eliminating the need to comply with different State-specific systems. While the system for both inter-State and intra-State movement would be technically ready by mid-January, States were given flexibility to implement the e-way bill for intra-State movement at any time before 1 June 2018, depending on their preparedness. However, it was decided that a uniform national e-way bill system covering both inter-State and intra-State movement would be fully implemented across all States by 1 June 2018. These decisions were aimed at reducing compliance burden, facilitating seamless movement of goods, and strengthening the GST framework through a harmonised digital mechanism.