Karnataka declared tax exemptions for out-of-state tourist vehicles travelling to Mysuru and Krishnaraja Sagara dam (KRS) during the nine-day Dasara festivities on Monday, October 16. These exemptions are in effect from October 16, through Dasara, which ends on October 24 and applies exclusively to Mysuru and Srirangapatna taluk, as per the notification.
To benefit from these tax exemptions, vehicles will need special permits. For the past 15 years, successive governments have granted this exemption annually for a 15-day period. However, the delay in announcing the exemption by the previous Congress government received criticism from private transport operators, who perceived the government as being against small businesses.
The Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Associations, representing 32 unions, had concerns that the government might not offer tax exemptions this year due to the increase in expenditure incurred from the free bus travel scheme for women.
Radhakrishna Holla, the president of the Karnataka State Travel Operators' Association, told the Deccan Herald that these tax exemptions will likely attract more tourists to Mysuru and KRS during Dasara, leading to increased hotel occupancy and an economic boost for the local area. He also called for similar tax exemptions for vehicles entering Mangaluru, which is known for its own Dasara celebrations.