Efforts to check price rise and setting up of Lokayuktas in Congress-ruled States are among issues to be taken up at the meeting of Chief Ministers convened by party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi here on Friday.
The first high-level meeting convened by the Nehru scion is likely to be addressed by Congress President Sonia Gandhi too.
Chief Ministers of all 12 Congress-ruled States are expected to attend the “brain-storming” session.
Many Congress leaders had blamed price rise and cases of corruption for the setback faced by the party in the recent Assembly elections.
The passage of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill in the Winter Session was also a result of the Congress’ understanding that corruption allegations had eroded its public support. Party sources indicated that a “strategy” was likely to be evolved for tackling inflation and expediting the setting up of Lokayuktas.
Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress leadership wants State Governments to start setting up Lokayuktas at the earliest.
Each Chief Minister has been allotted 15 minutes to explain the measures being taken to check price rise. The Finance Minister P. Chidambaram will address the meeting to explain the Government’s position on inflation. The Food Minister K.V. Thomas will make a presentation on food prices. Food inflation, based on the Wholesale Price Index, had reached about 20 per cent in November. In September and October, it averaged around 18 per cent.
A section in the Congress had argued that the inability of the Finance and Food Ministries to keep tabs on the situation had resulted in public outrage. The prices of vegetables, such as onions and tomatoes, saw a marginal hike during election.
The Minister of State for Personnel V. Narayanasamy will make a presentation on the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill.