Mysore/Mysuru: More than 30 tourist bus owners, drivers and owners-cum-drivers, under the banner of Mysuru District Tourist Bus Owners’ Association, staged a protest near Deputy Commissioner’s Office this morning urging for fulfilment of their various demands.

They said that COVID-19 pandemic had caused severe financial crisis due to lack of business causing a lot of problems in maintaining their families and also payment of loans, taxes besides stating that it would take at least two years for the tourist activities to return to normalcy.

They have requested the Government to waive off taxes of at least six months and take 50% taxes for the next six months. 

Pointing out that the six months time extended by banks and finance companies for loan repayment was not sufficient, the protestors have urged for another six months time. They have also urged for the attachment of Yellow Board vehicles to MSME companies as per the order of the Union Government.

Association President A.V. Prithviraj said that Rs. 4 lakh per bus (49 seater) was being paid as taxes per year, which was the highest compared to taxes in other States and warned of laying siege to Vidhana Soudha with their buses, if their demands were not met at the earliest.

They later submitted a memorandum to Borappa, Deputy Tahsildar at the DC Office. Association Hon. President Somanna, Vice-President H.N. Rajashekar, member Manoj and others were present.