The Coimbatore District Omni Bus Owners Association organized a significant protest on Wednesday, bringing attention to what they call unfair taxation practices by Kerala and other neighboring states. Bus operators have completely halted services to and from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Puducherry for four consecutive days, creating transportation chaos across South India.
The Taxation Dispute Explained
According to Association president Thirumurthy, the conflict began when Tamil Nadu government started collecting taxes from omnibuses belonging to other states. In retaliation, neighboring states including Kerala and Karnataka began imposing separate road taxes on Tamil Nadu omnibuses. Transport department officials in these states have been charging substantial amounts, reaching lakhs of rupees per vehicle.
Thirumurthy emphasized the contradiction in this practice, noting that bus operators already possess all-India permits valid for 90 days. The Union government, which collects taxes for these nationwide permits, subsequently allocated approximately Rs 5 crore to the Tamil Nadu government. Interestingly, northern states have not been collecting separate road taxes from Tamil Nadu omnibuses, making the southern states' demands particularly frustrating for operators.
Impact on Workers and Operations
The ongoing strike has created severe livelihood challenges for thousands of workers dependent on the omnibus industry. More than 3,500 workers in Coimbatore district alone have been affected by the service suspension, with many facing immediate financial hardship due to the sudden loss of income.
Association secretary Senthilkumar stressed the urgency of the situation, stating that the Tamil Nadu government needs to resolve the road tax issue immediately. Despite bringing the matter to the government's attention, bus operators report that no substantial progress has been made in negotiations so far.
Call for Government Intervention
The protesting bus owners are specifically appealing to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Transport Minister to personally intervene in the matter. They believe high-level negotiations are essential to find a sustainable solution that would allow them to resume operations without facing excessive financial burdens.
With the strike entering its fifth day, the economic impact continues to grow, affecting not only bus operators and workers but also thousands of passengers who rely on these interstate bus services for daily travel and connectivity between South Indian states.
