NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav's uncle and PWD minister Shivpal Yadav has given 'official sanction' to the bureaucrats of the state to indulge in a little bit of corruption.

In a meeting with district officials in Etah on Thursday, Shivpal Yadav told the bureaucrats that it is okay to steal a little if they work hard.

Chairing the meeting of district programme committee Shivpal said, "Maine to usi din PWD walo se khule aam keh diya tha agar mehnat karoge to thodi bahut chori kar sakte ho, dakaiti nahi daloge (I have already told PWD people openly that if you work hard, you can steal a little, but don't behave like dacoits".

"Agar mehnat karoge, jee lagaoge, agar inhe meetha paani de doge to chori kar sakte ho (If you work hard, if you give them water then you can steal)," he had stated.

With his remark drawing criticism from all quarters, Shivpal Yadav hurriedly called a news conference on Friday to explain the context of his statement and control the damage.

He claimed that his comment was not reported in totality and that he made the statement in the context of the previous BSP government.

"What has been reported in the press is out of context. I had stated that the erstwhile government had indulged in largescale corruption, cheating and stealing which, I said, should be stopped hundred per cent," the minister said, adding that the SP government had come to power vowing to end corruption.

When reporters persisted with the questions on his controversial remarks, Shivpal said, "I have taken back those words. So, why are you raking it up. I have always cooperated with the press. I don't know why the media is targeting me".

Training his guns on the media, the UP PWD minister questioned the presence of mediamen in the district review meeting.

He said it is wrong on the part of media to report off the record statements.

Reacting on Shivpal Yadav's remark, former Samajwadi Party leader Shahid Siddiqui said that it is an extremely dangerous statement. He claimed that the Uttar Pradesh PWD minister wanted to bring down the state government.

(With inputs from PTI)

