Guwahati: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has announced plans for a statewide awareness campaign against coal, stone and sand syndicates, holding them responsible for aggravating the impact of recent floods in the state.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by APCC president Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday, August 16. The meeting also reviewed the party’s organisational preparedness for the upcoming Lok Sabha by-election, autonomous council polls, and municipal elections.
According to the APCC, unregulated syndicate activities involving coal, stone and sand were among the major factors behind the recent flood situation in Upper Assam. The party said it would mobilise public support against such activities and push for greater accountability.
The meeting also assessed the relief and rehabilitation work being carried out by district Congress committees and the party’s frontal organisations, including Seva Dal, Mahila Congress, Youth Congress and NSUI.
Congress workers have been engaged in repairing damaged houses, cleaning schools and public and religious institutions, and organising shramdaan to help educational institutions reopen. Party workers have also been assisting farmers by providing paddy seedlings and helping with transplantation activities.
The APCC adopted separate resolutions opposing a proposed reduction of the eco-sensitive zone around Kaziranga National Park from 10 km to 1 km. The party also objected to the proposed acquisition of indigenous land at Engleng Pathar for transfer to large corporate entities.
The Congress said it would organise a broader public movement against policies it considers harmful to local communities and the environment.
The meeting also discussed organisational training programmes for Pradesh Congress workers and raised concerns over the appointment of individuals affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as vice-chancellors in Assam and other universities.
The party further alleged that ideologically aligned candidates were being favoured in the selection of college principals.
Concerns surrounding young people and the education system were also discussed, with the leadership noting what it described as growing dissatisfaction among Gen-Z. The APCC approved a proposal to hold a state-level youth convention to address these concerns.
The party’s social media department separately held a meeting as part of the wider organisational review.