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Telangana tour and travel sector seeks industry status

Hyderabad: Three major associations representing nearly 750 tour and travel operators in Telangana state joined hands on Wednesday to form a Joint Action Committee (JAC) and demanded industry status for their businesses.

JAC general secretary Syed Nizamuddin informed that travel operators have been facing many problems related to travel permits, road tax systems, harassment by traffic police, enhanced taxes, lack of support from the government and driver safety. He said the JAC's major demand is the grant of industry status, which would not only benefit them but also protect lakhs of jobs, boost tourism and open up new employment opportunities.

Nizamuddin said that the problems stemmed from the non-implementation of the ‘Gentlemen's Agreement’ between the then Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. The agreement facilitated free movement of private tourist buses across the southern states. However, the agreement lapsed in 2017 and it was not renewed.

Now the travel operators of Telangana are forced to pay border tax, which has added to the cost of travel and is discouraging tourists and pilgrims from hiring buses, he said. Moreover, they pay heavy amounts towards road tax and permits. As they do not get any parking facility near tourist spots in the city, they are slapped with heavy fines in the name of ‘wrong parking’, he said.

JAC chairman Govind Raju and president Gopal Reddy warned of agitations if the state government fails to resolve their issues on a priority basis.

The newly floated JAC comprises Telangana State Cabs and Bus Operators Association (TSCBOA), Hyderabad Secunderabad Contact Carriage Bus Owners Association (HSCCBOA), and Telangana Tours and Travels Owners Association (TTTOA).

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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