Minister for Minor Irrigation T G Venkatesh on Sunday defended his comments against non-performing IAS officers who, he said, should be shot dead.

Reacting to the demand from the IAS officers association for his unconditional apology, Venkatesh said he had made the comment not only against the IAS officers, but also against the political representatives.

“If they admit their mistake and say that they would mend their ways, I am ready to apologise,” he said.

The minister said he had only called for a Constitutional amendment to shoot down the non-performing officials, but not asked the people to kill them.

“I had to make the statement only because I was fed up with their non-performance,” he said.