Amit Shah to chair Southern Zonal Council meet in TN

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting on August 20 in Mamallapuram, with chief ministers and administrators of southern states and UTs attending. The council will deliberate on inter-state disputes such as river water sharing, issues under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, and national concerns.

Chennai: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council on August 20 at Mamallapuram near here, and the chief ministers of southern states and UTs will take part, the government said on Wednesday.

The Southern Zonal Council comprises the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, and the Union Territories of Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

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The council serves as an excellent forum for resolving issues and disputes between the Centre and the member States/Union Territories, the union government said.

River water sharing disputes between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and Keralam are among the ongoing disputes.

In an official release, the Centre said that the council meetings also discuss broad issues of national importance.

Amit Shah, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka arrived here late on Wednesday to take part in the meeting.

The national issues include Fast Track Special Courts for speedy investigation and early disposal of cases involving crimes against women and children–offence of rape– as well as issues related to education, among others.

Various issues of common interest at the regional level are covered, such as those related to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, water sharing, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) and issues related to civil aviation as well.

The government said: “The role of the Zonal Councils is advisory in nature. However, over the past few years, these Councils have proved to be an important factor in fostering healthy bond of mutual understanding and cooperation across various regions.”

With the cooperation of all state governments, Central ministries and departments, a total of 69 meetings of the various Zonal Councils and their Standing Committees have been held in the last approximately 12 years– since June 2014 till now.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisioned “Team Bharat,” for the nation on the basis of cooperative federalism, and the Zonal Councils are making significant contributions in this direction.

These councils function on the conviction that strong states build a strong nation. They provide a structured mechanism for dialogue and discussion on issues affecting two or more states—or the Centre and the states—thereby serving as a platform to foster mutual cooperation.

“Under the leadership of PM Modi, Zonal Council meetings have evolved into a powerful platform for finding solutions through dialogue.”

The Zonal Council has also constituted a standing committee at the level of Chief Secretaries. Issues proposed by the states are submitted for discussion before the council’s standing committee and after deliberation there, the remaining issues are placed before the Zonal Council meeting for consideration.

Under Sections 15 to 22 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, five Zonal Councils, including the Southern Zonal Council, were established. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is the Chairman of the Southern Zonal Council, and TN CM C Joseph Vijay is Vice-Chairman.

The chief ministers of the member states serve as the Vice-Chairman of the Council by rotation. The 31st meeting is being organised by the Inter-State Council Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, with the Government of Tamil Nadu as the host.

It will be attended by the CMs/Lieutenant Governors/Administrators of the member states and Union Territories of the southern region, along with two senior ministers from each state.

The Chief Secretaries/advisors and other senior officers of the state governments, as well as senior officers of the Central government, will participate in the meeting scheduled to take place at Mamallapuram near here.