Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, is poised to lead the 31st meeting of the Northern Zonal Council, scheduled to take place in Amritsar, Punjab, on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. This pivotal council is an assembly of states and Union Territories from the northern region, fostering cooperation and collaboration on a wide range of issues.
The Northern Zonal Council’s Composition
The Northern Zonal Council encompasses the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territories of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Chandigarh. It serves as a crucial platform for these regions to engage in meaningful dialogue and cooperative efforts.
An Organized Gathering
The Inter-State Council Secretariat, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, in partnership with the Government of Punjab, is organizing this significant meeting. Attending the event will be the Chief Ministers of the member states, accompanied by two senior ministers from each state, as well as the Lieutenant Governors/Administrators of the Union Territories. The meeting will also witness the participation of Chief Secretaries and other senior officers representing the State Governments, Union Territories, and the Central Government.
The Role of Zonal Councils
Zonal Councils play a pivotal advisory role in addressing issues that impact two or more states or involve interactions between the Center and the States. These councils, guided by the Union Home Minister as Chairman, promote cooperation and mutual understanding among regions.
Promoting Cooperative Federalism
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah has been a strong advocate for cooperative federalism, emphasizing the importance of states’ empowerment and constructive relations between the Center and the States. Zonal Councils, including the Northern Zonal Council, have played a vital role in this approach.
Wide-Ranging Discussions
The Northern Zonal Council engages in discussions spanning a wide array of subjects, including the Bhakra-Beas Management Board, Punjab University affiliation, road construction under PMGSY, canal projects, water sharing, infrastructure development, land acquisition, environmental and forest-related clearances, regional connectivity under the UDAN scheme, and other matters of regional interest.
Addressing National Issues
Moreover, each meeting of the Zonal Councils delves into issues of national significance. Topics include the operationalization of Fast Track Special Courts (FSTC) to expedite investigations and the disposal of rape cases against women and children, expanding access to banking services, creating new Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACSs), combating child malnutrition, reducing school dropout rates, and government hospitals’ participation in Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), among others.
As the 31st Northern Zonal Council meeting approaches, it remains a significant forum for regional collaboration and addressing issues that impact the welfare and development of northern states and Union Territories.
