Congress vide president Rahul Gandhi is speaking at Congress press conference in New Delhi. Here are the highlights of his speech:
Ajay Maken speaks:- Rahul Gandhi chaired the meeting
- All Congress-ruled states to enact new Lokayukta Act before February 28
- By Jan 15, delist fruits and vegetables from APMC acts so that farmers have a choice and consumers have benefit of lower prices
- All Congress-ruled states will invoke Essential Commodities Act to stop hoarding, black marketing and profiteering
- All Congress-ruled states will immediately implement reforms of the Public Distribution System (PDS) to eliminate leakages and ensure food reach intended users
- All Congress-ruled states will take steps to open fair price shops, either government-ruled or run by women so that fruits and vegetables and eggs can be sold at reasonable prices to consumers
Rahul Gandhi speaks:
- We met today on two main issues - corruption and Lokpal, and there was also price-rise.
- We are very concerned about the rising prices of vegetables
- Congress Chief Ministers decided that till February, stipulations in the national-level Lokpal will be taken to state-level
- Price rise of fruits and vegetables is a main issue, we have taken some remedial steps for this
- Lokpal Bill is one step
- If we need to fight corruption then we need a framework not just at the national level but also state level
- Congress party is working towards this now
- There is only one party which is talking about the system... everyone else is talking.
- If you want to fight corruption, create a mechanism. There are bills pending in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha - let us get together and pass those bills.
- If you are serious, let us stop talking and start acting
- My party is dead serious
- On Adarsh: Don't agree with the decision of the Maharashtra cabinet; it should be reconsidered. There is no question of protecting anyone
- See what happens if the Opposition gets together with us and pass anti-corruption laws.
- If they are truly against corruption, come help us set up a framework
- I hear again and again talk against corruption, but I don't see systematic action
- We brought the RTI, we brought in the Lokpal - it is fashionable to talk but if you want change, enact the laws