Congress to enact new Lokayukta legislation by 28th February

Congress leader Ajay Maken said on Friday that all Congress ruled states would enact the new Lokayukta legislation before 28th February 2014.

Addressing a news conference here this evening after meeting chief ministers of all Congress-ruled states, he said that the Congress has decided to implement five steps to tackle corruption after a prolonged discussion within the party.

"All Congress ruled states will by 15th January de-list fruits and vegetables from their respective agricultural produce marketing communities, so that, the farmers have a choice of where to sell their produce and consumers can get the benefit of lower prices," said Maken.

"All Congress ruled states to invoke Essential Commodities Act to deal sternly with hoarding, and black marketing, and immediately implement reforms of the public distribution system (PDS) that are stipulated in the Food Security Act to ensure that the grains reach the intended beneficiaries," he said.

"They will also, immediately take steps to open fair price shops either government owned, or run by women self-help groups, that will sell fruits vegetables and eggs at fair and reasonable prices," he added.

The meeting was held at 15-Rakabganj Road, also known as Congress War Room.

According to reports, the meeting discussed future course of action in the wake of the passage of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill in Parliament.

Congress has lost power in Delhi and Rajasthan in recent assembly elections.

It is in power in Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala and Meghalaya.