Congress would never be found wanting in fight against corruption: Falerio

Congress would never be found wanting in its fight against corruption, said AICC general secretary in-charge of north east states Luizinho Falerio.

Responding to a question from this daily that two out of three Indians believed that Congress was more corrupt than the Opposition BJP according to a recent independent national survey, Falerio, as in-charge of state elections, referred to the deep anger of Karnataka people against the corrupt BJP state government before the state last assembly elections..

"The BJP having no issue would try to divert people's attention," Falerio told media persons late Monday evening, adding that Congress has already proved its resolve against corruption.

Falerio arrived here this afternoon on his first visit after taking over charge following the June 17 AICC reshuffle in the run up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

A known face in Arunachal, Falerio said: "I've travelled the length and breadth of your state. God is partial in granting you a beautiful and peaceful state."

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have ensured many rights to the people, including RTI Act, RTE Act, Employment Right Act and now right to food by promulgating the Food Security Ordinance (FSO), all enshrined in the Direct Principles of the Constitution, but made laws by the Congress to grant rights to the people, he said.

"It may not eradicate poverty but ensure a right to food, unlike the PDS food given now as a government decision, and anyone found guilty for not implementing the law (any ordinance has to be passed by the Parliament to make it a law within six month) would be brought to book", he said.

Falerio congratulated Chief Minister Nabam Tuki for his decision to implement the FSO on August 20 next, birth day of former Prime Minister, late Rajiv Gandhi.

Tuki said few identified beneficiaries would be given rice to launch the ambitious flagship programme of the UPA government.

"Identification of 8 lakh Arunachalees, posting committed officers and availability of stocks to ensure food reaches the people in the far-flung and inaccessible areas of the land-locked state would pose a big challenge," he said and expressed his confidence in the GoAP to accomplish it.

Responding to a question, APCC president Mukut Mithi admitted that there was five per cent leakage in the PDS but the new law would ensure that food is supplied at the door steps of the people.

The union food ministry has decided to increase the capacity of the existing FCI godowns or build new ones, Mithi said, when he was told that FCI was yet to build base depot one in each 17 district and incapable of replenishing the existing base depots in Arunachal.

Falerio denied his visit aimed as blowing the bugle for 2014 Lok Sabha polls, saying it was to review implementation of party's last election manifesto. "Election comes and goes but I am here to ensure if the Congress manifesto has been translated into a reality. Implementation of Common Minimum Programmes by UPA-I and II had benefited the aam admi", he claimed.

Earlier, in his address at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, he exhorted the ministers, MLAs, APCC state, district office bearers and frontal wing heads along with Mithi, Tuki and Lok Sabha member Takam Sanjoy to ensure unity and discipline for consolidating and strengthening the party. He congratulated the people for their massive mandate to Congress during elections to panchayat and municipal, the foundation of the democracy.

He announced that Tuki has consented to his suggestions for training programmes on FSO, Centre's 16 flagship programmes, state flagship programmes and self-governances to bring mass awareness among the cadres besides appointing a committee to monitor implementation of the party manifesto.