VIP culture not acceptable: Karnataka Minister takes vaccine at home, Centre seeks report

Bengaluru, Mar 02: Karnataka Agriculture Minister B.C. Patil on Tuesday kicked up a controversy after he took the Covid-19 vaccine at the former's residence in Hirekerur, in gross violation of the COVID-19 protocol.

The pictures of Patil along with his wife and family members went viral on social media and television news channels also highlighted the misuse of power by the minister.

"Took the #COVID19Vaccine with my wife, at my Hirekerur house from the Govt. doctors today. While 'Made In India' vaccines are being immensely appreciated by many countries, some vested interest groups are spreading false information about the vaccines," Patil tweeted.

Took the #COVID19Vaccine with my wife, at my Hirekerur house from the Govt. doctors today.

While 'Made In India' vaccines are being immensely appreciated by many countries, some vested interest groups are spreading false information about the vaccines.@DDChandanaNews | @DHFWKA pic.twitter.com/yE6fYZTddJ

— Kourava B.C.Patil (@bcpatilkourava) March 2, 2021

Patil defended himself, saying "If I go to hospital to get vaccinated, then, people there will have to wait due to my visit there. But, here I can attend to people & also can get vaccinated."

"Have I done any theft or robbery? I have only taken the vaccine at home, which is not a crime," the Minister told reporters.

Health and Medical Education Minister K Sudhakaralso termed the incident as gross violation of Covid vaccination protocols and said action would be initiated against the doctors who went to the house of the Minister to give him the shot.

"Unless there is a prior permission, no one is allowed to go home to vaccinate. It is wrong to go home to administer a vaccine," he said.

He would issue a circular to the doctors not to administer vaccines at home, the minister added.

The centre has sough a report from the state government taking note of the covid protocol violation.

"This is not allowed in the protocol. We have asked for a report from the State government," said Rajesh Bhushan, Health Secretary, on being asked about a Karnataka MLA receiving vaccine shot at his residence today.

This comes a day after prominent leaders likePrime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu took the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine on Monday with the start of the next phase of the inoculation drive.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and NCP president Sharad Pawar also took the jab.

Governors Kalraj Mishra of Rajasthan and Banwarilal Purohit of Tamil Nadu also received the shot, as well as Union minister Jitendra Singh as the country further opened its vaccination programme that started on Jan. 16 for healthca