Pvt bus, car operators seek relief from govt over lockdown

“The public transport sector has requested a waiver of taxes, deferment of tax payments, an extension of vehicle insurance validity and waiver of rent for six months for private buildings provided at the bus stand to save the business from collapsing,” said the associations. Stating that they represented 1.5 lakh private passenger services in the State, they claimed that many private operators are on the verge of bankruptcy and around 18 lakh people face job loss.

Mohammed Afzal, president, TOBOA and general secretary of BOCI said with the total lack of fund flows, the industry is currently reaching a state of insolvency and “thus compelled to plead before the government to support the sector by granting a waiver of taxes for the sector up to September 30 and to permit laid-up provision, as available in other neighbouring states, to remit idle tax for unused buses under PSV Permit, until reopening of the software and industrial units.”

Also, he demanded that remittance of all service fees, penalties and charges be made online as this will prevent unnecessary visits to the RTO offices during the pandemic.