New Delhi, December 27
Eager to establish his image as a practical crusader against corruption, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today challenged the Opposition to join hands and legislate on a slew of bills pending in Parliament to tackle graft in public life through a framework and system.

After a day-long meeting with chief ministers of party-ruled states, the party also announced that all Congress-ruled states will enact the new Lokayukta Act by the end of February next year; delist fruits and vegetables by January 15; deal sternly with hoarding and black marketing; carry reforms in public distribution system; and, open fair prices shops for fruits, vegetables and eggs.

Citing the Right to Information and passage of Lokpal as symbols of the Congress’ commitment to fight corruption, Rahul said: “Lokpal is a step, if we really want to fight corruption we need a framework and not just at the national level but also in states.

We need to work in the direction... but no one is interested... showing the path to establish a mechanism. There are Bills pending in Parliament, but I see on the other side complete silence. We should pass these Bills, I don't hear that... we are serious about it, let us stop talking, let us start acting.”

The Congress vice president's reiteration and reference to pending Bills was articulated in Parliament this month. These include the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013, the Right of Citizens for Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of their Grievances Bill, 2011, the Public Procurement Bill.

Rahul Gandhi is clearly seeking to corner the BJP, as the principal party in the Opposition in Parliament has to come on board for the government to convert the Bills into laws.

In addition to taking forward the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act in the states, today's meeting came out with steps to attack the rise in prices of essential commodities, seen as a major factor in the Congress debacle in four of the five recent Assembly elections.

Delisting fruits and vegetables from respective Agriculture Produce Markets Committee Act will give farmers a choice to sell their produce and consumers will benefit from lower prices, the party said. Similarly, fair price shops will be opened by the government or run by women self-help groups selling fruits, vegetables and eggs.

To deal with hoarding, black marketing and profiteering, the Essential Commodities Act will be invoked by states, which may also detain chronic offenders under relevant laws. Congress-ruled states will also implement reforms in public distribution system to eliminate leakages and ensure foodgrains reach intended beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act.

In a similar vein, Rahul disapproved of the Maharashtra Government’s decision to reject the judicial commission report on the Adarsh Building scandal stating that it be reconsidered. “Personally, I don't agree with that decision. They (Maharashtra) should reconsider it.”