Tax Exemption in Karnataka on Tourist Vehicles for  celebration of Dasara festivities

On Monday, the transport department announced tax exemption for tourist vehicles visiting Mysuru from other states for Dasara. It will have a great impact on the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. Brindavan Gardens in KRS dam in Mandya district is also exempted.

In an order issued by the department, inter-state tourist vehicles entering Mysuru, and KRS dam in Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district are exempted from paying tax till the day when the Dasara celebrations will conclude i.e. October 24.

Vehicles will be eligible only if they are heading to Mysuru city and the KRS dam located in Srirangapatna, Mandya district, during the nine days (between October 16 and 24) of Dasara festivities. They will have to obtain special permits to become eligible for tax exemptions.

According to Radhakrishna Holla, president of the Karnataka State Travel Operators’ Association, maxi cabs, taxis, and tourist buses from Kerala and Tamil Nadu will benefit from the tax exemptions. He added that approximately 2,000 taxis, 1,000 maxi cabs, and 300 tourist buses enter Mysuru and the surrounding tourist destinations every day.

Further, he added, the entry fee is Rs 300 for taxis, Rs 1,800-2,000 for maxi cabs and up to Rs 15,000 for buses depending on their seating capacity.

According to him, the tax exemptions would attract more tourists to Mysuru and KRS during Dasara, improve hotel occupancy and boost the local economy.