Union Home Minister chairs 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council

Why in News?

The 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council was held at Kovalam near Chennai, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Chief Ministers and senior representatives of southern States participated in the deliberations on issues of common regional and inter-State importance.

Key Points

The Zonal Councils were established under Part III of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 to promote cooperation and coordination among States and between the Centre and States.

India has five Zonal Councils:

1. Northern Zonal Council
2. Central Zonal Council
3. Eastern Zonal Council
4. Western Zonal Council
5. Southern Zonal Council

The North-Eastern States—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland—are not part of the five Zonal Councils. Their special issues are addressed through the North Eastern Council (NEC), established under the North Eastern Council Act, 1972.

Sikkim was subsequently brought within the North Eastern Council through the North Eastern Council (Amendment) Act, 2002, notified on 23 December 2002.

Composition

The Union Home Minister is the Chairman of each Zonal Council.

The Councils provide a platform for free and frank discussion on issues involving the Centre and States as well as disputes or concerns between neighbouring States.

Since the Zonal Councils are advisory bodies, they facilitate consultation and consensus-building rather than exercising judicial or executive authority.

Standing Committee

Each Zonal Council has a Standing Committee at the level of Chief Secretaries.

Issues proposed by participating States are initially placed before the Standing Committee for detailed deliberation. Issues that remain unresolved or require further consideration are subsequently placed before the Zonal Council.

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