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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