Karnataka Higher Education Minister, Dr V S Acharya passes away

Bangalore - 14 Feb 2012: Karnataka Minister for Higher Education, Dr V.S. Acharya died in Bangalore on Tuesday. He was 71.

Dr Acharya's death was announced by Chief Minister V. Sadananda Gowda to reporters in Vidhan Soudha, the State Secretariat. "Dr. V. S. Acharya is no more with us", Mr. Gowda told reporters minutes after the Minister's death around 1 pm.

Dr. Acharya, who arrived from Udupi on Tuesday morning, reached Government Science College on Nrupathunga Road in Bangalore, where he was scheduled to participate in a seminar. As he was walking towards the stage, Dr. Acharya collapsed, and was taken to a hospital.

He had been keeping indifferent health for the last few months, prompting media speculation that he would be stepping down.

A doctor by profession, he became a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council in 1996. One of the senior-most members of the Cabinet, Dr. Acharya also held the Home portfolio. He is survived by his wife, four sons and a daughter.