Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will chair the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council (SZC) on August 20, Thursday, in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu. The Southern Zonal Council comprises the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, along with the Union Territories of Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep.
Amit Shah is the Chairman of the Council, while Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay serves as its Vice-Chairman. The Chief Ministers of the member states hold the position of Vice-Chairman on a rotational basis.
The 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council is being organised by the Inter-State Council Secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs with the Government of Tamil Nadu serving as the host. The meeting will be attended by the Chief Ministers, Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of the member states and Union Territories of the Southern region, along with two senior ministers from each state. Chief Secretaries, Advisors and other senior officials of the participating state governments, as well as senior officials of the Central Government, will also take part in the meeting.
The Zonal Council has also constituted a Standing Committee comprising Chief Secretaries of the member states. Issues proposed by the states are first placed before the Standing Committee for deliberation, following which the matters that remain unresolved are brought before the Zonal Council for consideration.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Team Bharat’, founded on the principle of cooperative federalism, is being strengthened through the significant contributions of the Zonal Councils. Emphasising that strong states build a strong nation, the Ministry said the councils provide a structured platform for dialogue and discussion on issues involving two or more states, as well as matters concerning the Centre and the states. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, meetings of the Zonal Councils have evolved into an effective forum for resolving issues through dialogue and mutual cooperation.
The role of the Zonal Councils is advisory in nature. However, over the past few years, they have emerged as an important mechanism for fostering mutual understanding, cooperation and coordination among states across different regions. With the active participation of State Governments, Central Ministries and Departments, a total of 69 meetings of the various Zonal Councils and their Standing Committees have been held over the past 12 years, from June 2014 to date, said the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Zonal Councils provide an effective platform for resolving issues and disputes and facilitating progress on matters involving the Centre and member states and Union Territories, as well as those arising among states and UTs within the region. The Councils also deliberate on broader issues of national importance, including the implementation of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) for the speedy investigation and expeditious disposal of rape cases involving women and children, as well as matters related to education, among others.
In addition, the Councils take up various issues of common regional interest, including matters arising from the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, major water-sharing projects, the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), civil aviation-related issues and several other matters.
-with inputs from PIB
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