GUWAHATI, Oct 30 � Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhubaneswar Kalita today said that the Congress party was for an in-depth assessment of the downstream impact of mega dams including the Lower Subansiri hydel project for mitigating the adverse effects and compensating the people.
Kalita, who assumed charge as APCC chief today, told the media that the issue of big dams was being discussed at the party�s grassroots, level as well.
�Rather than the issue of mega dams per se, we are concerned with the possible adverse fallouts in the form of downstream impact. We feel there should be a thorough assessment of the downstream impact so that those could be mitigated,� Kalita said, and accused the Opposition of maintaining double standards on dams.
On his responsibilities as APCC chief ahead of the ensuing Assembly elections, Kalita said that the State had a number of burning problems such as terrorism, poverty, unemployment, etc., and helping the Government in resolving the issues was a priority.
�The State has been confronted with a number of burning problems and we will strive to address all the concerns of the people. We will also try to strengthen the party�s organizational matters and prepare it for the Assembly polls through different plans and programmes,� Kalita said.
On possible pre-poll alliance, Kalita said that the matter would be decided by the working committee to be set up for the purpose.
Welcoming the peace initiative with the banned ULFA, the APCC chief said that it was always a positive development to have a dialogue even if �ULFA c-in-c Paresh Baruah refrains from joining the process.�
�A beginning has to be made and even if Paresh Baruah remains absent, we feel that the talks can proceed. Any type of dialogue is better than no dialogue at all,� Kalita said.
Kalita also paid homage to those who lost their lives in the October 30, 2010, serial blasts and stressed the need for a concerted public opinion against terrorism.
