Mysuru, 20 Sept

The Karnataka government announced tax free entry to Mysuru and KRS dam for tourists vehicles registered in other States on the occasion of Dasara. The exemption is applicable for the 11 day period between 22 Sept-2 Oct.

Tourist vehicles from other States heading to Mysuru during the Dasara festival will be exempt from paying permit tax, the Karnataka Transport Department.

An order to this effect was issued by Undersecretary to the Department of Transport Pushpa on Saturday.        

The waiver will apply only to tourist vehicles entering Mysuru city and the nearby Srirangapatna taluk, according to the department’s official notification. It is only applicable to vehicles registered outside Karnataka that are operating under special permits.

This exemption will come into effect from Monday and will run until the conclusion of the Dasara celebrations on 2 October.

The Transport Department clarified that the waiver is in the public interest and introduced under the Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1957.

Dasara, which will begin in Mysuru from Monday, is one of the State’s most celebrated events, drawing large numbers of visitors from across the world. The tax waiver is intended to encourage more tourists to visit Mysuru during the festival.

There are several tourist attractions in Mysuru, which will be lit up for the festival.

Srirangapatna, located near Mysuru city also houses popular tourist spots like Brindavan Gardens and Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam, both of which draw large crowds during Dasara.

3 people fined for filming reels near Dasara elephants

The Forest Department has penalised three persons for shooting reels in front of the Dasara elephants, imposing a fine of Rs 1,000 on each.

On 18 September, a girl reportedly entered restricted areas, shot reels and uploaded them on social media.

Deputy Conservator of Forests Prabhugowda said the department collected Rs 3,000 in penalties for uploading pictures despite a ban on such activities.

He clarified that visitors are prohibited from entering restricted zones where mahouts and kavadi caretakers tend to Dasara jumbos inside the palace premises.

The department has warned that stricter action will follow if visitors continue to flout restrictions meant to protect elephants during the festival.