Bengaluru: The health official who had given a COVID-19 vaccine to Karnataka Agriculture Minister B C Patil and his wife at their residence in violation of vaccination norms has been suspended.

In the order issued on March 26, Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Dr K V Thrilok Chandra said he has suspended Dr Z R Makhandar, the Taluk Health Officer of Hirekerur in Haveri district from government service pending inquiry for dereliction of duty.

The order said that despite repeated training and instructions, the vaccine was given to the minister at his residence.

The health official has been directed not to leave the work place without prior permission till the inquiry is completed.

The minister took the jab on March 2 at his residence, a day after the people above 60 years of age and people above 45 years with comorbidities were permitted to take vaccines.

After taking the shot, the Minister posted the photograph on his Twitter handle drawing widespread criticism for violation of norms.

Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar too expressed his displeasure over the violation of norms.

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Bengaluru (PTI): Veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa passed away at a private hospital here on Sunday due to age-related ailments, official sources said.

He was 95 and represented the Davanagere South Assembly constituency. He had been undergoing treatment at the hospital for some time.

Shivashankarappa is survived by three sons, including S S Mallikarjun, Karnataka Minister for Mines and Geology and Horticulture, and four daughters.

His daughter-in-law, Prabha Mallikarjun, is the Member of Parliament from Davanagere.

A former minister, Shivashankarappa, served as treasurer of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) for several decades and was the president of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, the apex body of the influential Veerashaiva-Lingayat community.

He was also a noted educationist who established several educational institutions and was an industrialist.