Mysuru: The Karnataka Yoga Teachers Association, Mysuru, led by its Hon. President Dr. T.N. Shashikumar, Secretary N. Anantha and President Dr. S.P. Yoganna, has submitted a memorandum to Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar seeking the MP’s Office to write a letter to the GST Council of India and the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, urging them to consider exempting GST for all Yoga Centres.

This exemption would boost Yoga tourism and contribute to the flourishing of the local macro and micro-economy.

The memorandum stated, “Mysuru, renowned as the cultural and Yoga capital of India, annually attracts more than 50,000 foreign and Indian nationals to practice yoga and other Indian heritage classes in various yoga institutes in city. Post-pandemic, there has been a significant reduction in the number of yoga students visiting Mysuru.”

“Currently, Yoga Centres are categorised under Health and Fitness Recreational services, attracting 18% GST rate. This high tax burden impacts the ability of Yoga Centres in Mysuru to sustain their operations and meet the rising costs of salaries for guest lecturers, regular employees and other essential expenses,” the memorandum noted.