Congress has directed all its Chief Ministers to enact new Lokayukata Bill in their states as provided in the just passed Lokpal and Lokayukta Act by 28th February next year, to eradicate corruption. Addressing a news conference after the meeting of Congress Chief Ministers chaired by party Vice President Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi this evening, AICC media Department Chief Ajay Maken said, party-ruled states will de-list fruits and vegetables from their Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act by the 15th of next month.

He said, this will enable farmers to sell products at a place of their choice and in the process, consumers will get benefits of lower prices of the products.

Mr Maken said, Congress-ruled States will invoke Essential Commodites Act to deal strictly with hoarding, blackmarketing and profiteering.

He added that all Congress-ruled States will immediately open fair price shops, either government owned or women's self help groups to sell fruits, vegetables and eggs at reasonable prices.

AIR Correspondent reports, the meeting was the first major poll exercise after the recent Assembly elections.

Besides Chief Ministers of eleven out of twelve party-ruled States, the meeting was also attended by senior party leaders A K Antony, Sushilkumar Shinde, P. Chidambaram, Ahmed Patel, Jairam Ramesh, Digvijay Singh, Janardan Dwivedi, Kapil Sibal and K V Thomas.