Zonal Council

Why in News?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted that zonal councils evolved from discussion forums to engines of cooperation, resolving 83% of issues discussed. He spoke at the 27th Eastern Zonal Council meeting, underscoring greater inter-state collaboration.

Description:

• Idea promoted by then PM Jawaharlal Nehru.
• Set up under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
• Statutory bodies (not constitutional).
• Five Zonal Councils:
  • Northern Zonal Council
  • Central Zonal Council
  • Eastern Zonal Council
  • Western Zonal Council
  • Southern Zonal Council
• North Eastern States are not included in these; they have the North Eastern Council (1972 Act) for their special needs.

Objectives of Zonal Councils

• Promote national integration.
• Arrest growth of acute state consciousness, regionalism, linguistic and particularistic tendencies.
• Enable Centre and States to cooperate and exchange ideas/experiences.
• Establish cooperation among States for speedy execution of development projects.

Organisational Structure of Zonal Councils:

• Chairman: Union Home Minister.
• Vice Chairman: Chief Ministers of member States (by rotation, one-year term).
• Members:
  • Chief Minister + two other Ministers (nominated by Governor) from each State.
  • Two members from Union Territories in the zone.
• Advisers:
  • One nominee from NITI Aayog (earlier Planning Commission).
  • Chief Secretaries and another officer/Development Commissioner from each State in the Zone.
  • Union Ministers invited as necessary.

Functions of Zonal Councils

• Advisory bodies.
• May discuss matters of common interest among member States.
• Can advise Central Government and State Governments on actions to be taken.
• Can discuss and recommend on:
  • Economic and social planning.
  • Border disputes.
  • Linguistic minorities.
  • Inter-State transport.
  • Matters connected with State reorganisation under the Act.

Difference from Other Cooperative Federalism Platforms

• Other platforms include:
  • National Development Council
  • Inter-State Council
  • Governor’s/Chief Ministers’ Conferences
  • Other high-level conferences.
• Zonal Councils’ Unique Features:
  • Regional forums of cooperative endeavour among economically, politically, and culturally linked States.
  • Compact, high-level bodies.
  • Focused on specific regional issues with a national perspective.

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