Following over a month of escalating conflict in West Asia, the Karnataka State Travel Operators Association (KSTOA) has formally requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi for urgent financial assistance aimed at the transport and tourism industries, which are currently under severe economic strain.
In their official appeal, the association pointed out that the disruption of international travel and trade has caused significant setbacks to business operations throughout Karnataka and across the nation. The halting of flight services and the decline in cross-border travel have led to a dramatic decrease in demand, putting transport providers and tourism-related businesses in a precarious financial situation.
KSTOA president K. Radhakrishna Holla emphasized the critical need for government action, cautioning that without immediate support, many businesses face the risk of failure and substantial job losses. The association is advocating for relief initiatives to be implemented for at least three months for all transport vehicles.
Among the key requests are a temporary suspension of loan repayments for vehicle owners, postponement of both direct and indirect taxes without penalties, and a short-term exemption from contributions to the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) and Provident Fund (PF). Additionally, the association seeks access to interest-free working capital to assist operators with their everyday operational costs.
KSTOA has also expressed concern for operators who have invested in National Alternative Fuel vehicles in accordance with government guidelines, but are now facing financial difficulties due to a lack of fuel supply. The association is calling for special incentives to be made available for these vehicle owners and drivers.
In an interview with the Indian Express, Holla remarked, “Our situation is more dire than that of hotels. At least they can acquire cylinders on the grey market at a premium. The travel sector is severely affected.”
Holla also criticized Union Minister Prahlad Joshi’s suggestion for autorickshaw drivers to switch from LPG to petrol as a temporary measure.
He stated, “The Central government seems to be inactive, and many stakeholders affected by this crisis find the responses from Union Cabinet Ministers like Prahlad Joshi to be inadequate. Instead of primarily focusing on electoral campaigns, the government should prioritize safeguarding livelihoods, supporting industries, and ensuring economic stability.”
“The current situation feels reminiscent of the hardships faced during the Covid pandemic. Numerous self-employed individuals and small business owners who were already struggling to recover from previous losses are now once again under significant economic pressure. During such a critical period, the Central Government was expected to roll out relief measures that would benefit the populace,” Holla added.
“Measures such as tax reductions, deferments of direct and indirect taxes, temporary relaxations in PF and ESI contributions, and the postponement of penalties could greatly alleviate the burden on small enterprises,” he concluded.
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