Daijiworld Media Network – Belagavi

Belagavi, Dec 19: The Karnataka government is preparing to seriously implement the vehicle scrappage policy already in force in Delhi, making it mandatory to scrap government-owned vehicles that are more than 15 years old.

Transport and Muzrai minister Ramalinga Reddy informed the Legislative Council that the state government has approved a proposal mandating that all vehicles registered under government departments, corporations, boards, city municipal councils and other government-controlled institutions, which are over 15 years old, must be scrapped only at Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs) established within the state. The approval was granted on September 12, he said.

Responding to a question raised by Council member Govindaraju, the minister said that, according to information provided by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), as of December 4, 2025, the registrations of a total of 18,552 government vehicles that are more than 15 years old (excluding buses operated by transport corporations) have been cancelled by the central government on the VAHAN portal.

Of these 18,552 vehicles, 1,493 vehicles have already been scrapped at Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities, while 17,059 vehicles are yet to be scrapped, he added.

The minister further stated that from 2023 till date, a total of 3,212 vehicles belonging to four state-owned corporations have been decommissioned, while 579 vehicles are still pending decommissioning.

Monthly honorarium for Buddhist monks

Meanwhile, Ramalinga Reddy also announced that Buddhist monks working at Buddhist centres across the state will be provided a monthly salary through the minorities department, with immediate effect, under the Muzrai department.

Replying to a question raised by Shivakumar K during the Question Hour, and responding on behalf of Waqf and minority welfare minister Zameer Ahmed, Ramalinga Reddy said Buddhist monks are serving at various Buddhist centres across Karnataka, and in some places, monks are finding it difficult to manage their day-to-day living expenses.

Taking note of the situation, the government has decided to provide them with a monthly honorarium. He said discussions would be held with departmental officials and the payment would be implemented with immediate effect. “The government is committed to safeguarding their welfare,” he assured.

He also explained that under the minorities welfare department, chief priests serving in registered Jain basadis are being paid Rs 6,000 per month, while assistant priests receive Rs 5,000. Similarly, pesh imams, imams and muezzins serving in mosques are being paid Rs 6,000 and Rs 5,000 per month respectively, he added.