Bus owners seek tax sops from TS, AP

2 lakh direct, 40K indirect workers depend on passenger buses

With approximately one lakh passenger buses remaining unused and stationary due to Covid-19, the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Bus Owners Association has urged the state government to waiveoff taxes, defer tax payments, allow extension of vehicle insurance validity and extend loan moratorium by at least six to 12 months. There are 2 lakh direct employees like drivers, attenders, cleaners and office staff who have not had work since March.

There are 40,000 indirect workers, including mechanics, painters, dhobis and semi-unskilled workers who were dependent on the passenger buses for their livelihood.

These incomes in the lower category have come to a complete halt as the transport industry remains paralysed. Buses are being operated only in emergency and for Covid essential services during the lockdown period. The association wants waiver of motor vehicle tax for the entire lockdown period.

Citing an example, they said that a bus operator with 10 vehicles has to pay road tax of both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana amounting to around `1,05,84,000. Without any income, having to pay such huge amounts to both governments is not feasible, they said and are seeking help from both governments.

Satish Kumar, official spokesperson of Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India said, “We are in a very difficult situation and seek assistance from the government otherwise the sector will collapse. There has been zero income during lockdown and post-lockdown too there is hardly any business. The industry will take at least six to 12 months to recover and till then the support of the government is required.”

THESE INCOMES in the lower category have come to a complete halt as the transport industry remains paralysed. Buses are being operated only in emergency and for Covid essential services during the lockdown period.