Will suspend officials taking long lunch break: Akhilesh

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today said his government would "suspend" officials if they were found absent during officer hours or taking long lunch break, and also sought help from the media.

"Aap sahyog dijiye.. Aap news chalaiye ki kaun sa officer lunchtime ya waise bhi office me nahi hai, ham use suspend karenge (You support us... You run news of officers' absence during office hours or lunchtime, we will suspend them)," Yadav told reporters on the sidelines of a function.

Yadav was asked about his government's stand on absence of officials from office for long hours and during lunchtime.

UP PWD Minister Shivpal Yadav had recently said officials should not leave for home during lunchtime, and if they did so action would be taken against them.

Meanwhile, reacting on the CM's statement, BJP chief spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak said he (Akhilesh) was not serious about it and was just making statements for publicity.

"Had he taken any action against party men who indulged in hooliganism at toll plaza or beat engineers? Now asking the media to run news and he will take action is just a gimmick," Pathak said.