Union Home Minister Amit Shah presided over the 27th Western Zonal Council meeting in Pune, Maharashtra, bringing together the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa, along with the Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. Senior government officials from both state and central ministries were also in attendance. The meeting reinforced the role of Zonal Councils in promoting cooperative federalism by addressing inter-state issues and fostering regional collaboration.
Historical Significance of Zonal Councils
The idea of Zonal Councils was introduced by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1956 to mitigate linguistic and regional conflicts following the States Reorganisation Act. These councils serve as platforms for states to discuss common concerns, administrative challenges, and developmental strategies. There are five Zonal Councils, each covering specific states and Union Territories, alongside the North Eastern Council, which was established in 1972.
Composition of the Zonal Councils
- Northern Zonal Council: Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Chandigarh.
- Central Zonal Council: Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh.
- Eastern Zonal Council: Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal.
- Western Zonal Council: Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu.
- Southern Zonal Council: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry.
- North Eastern Council: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland.
Leadership and Governance
Each Zonal Council is chaired by the Union Home Minister, while the Chief Minister of a member state serves as the Vice-Chairperson on a rotational basis. Additionally, ministers from participating states and senior officials from the central and state governments take part in discussions.
Objectives and Functions
Zonal Councils focus on resolving inter-state disputes, economic coordination, and policy implementation. They discuss a range of topics, including:
- Economic planning and development
- Inter-state transport and infrastructure
- Law and order coordination
- Public health and social welfare initiatives
- Border security and administrative efficiency
Under the Modi government, Zonal Councils have transformed from advisory bodies into action-oriented platforms, ensuring faster resolution of state-specific issues.
Expansion of Zonal Council Meetings
The effectiveness of Zonal Councils has increased significantly in recent years:
- 140% rise in meetings: From 25 (2004-2014) to 61 (2014-2025) despite pandemic disruptions.
- 170% rise in topics discussed: From 469 (2004-2014) to 1,541 (2014-2025).
- Threefold increase in resolved issues: From 448 (2004-2014) to 1,280 (2014-2025).
- Target: Achieve 100% resolution of agenda items in future meetings.
Significance of the Western Region in India’s Economy
The Western Zonal Council plays a vital role in India’s economic landscape:
- Contributes 25% of India’s GDP.
- 80-90% of industrial operations take place in this region.
- Accounts for over half of India’s global trade.
- Key infrastructure, including major ports and urban development, benefits multiple states.
- Supports commerce for landlocked states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Major Focus Areas of the Meeting
Boosting Financial Inclusion
- Nearly all villages now have bank branches or postal banking services within 5 km.
- New goal: Reduce this distance to 3 km for better accessibility.
Addressing Malnutrition and Public Health
- Despite economic prosperity, malnutrition and stunting remain concerns.
- States urged to intensify efforts to combat malnutrition.
- Preventive healthcare strategies to reduce reliance on medicines and hospitals.
- Focus on improving school dropout rates and education quality.
Encouraging Domestic Pulse Production
- Aim to reduce dependence on pulse imports while ensuring fair prices for farmers.
- A new mobile application enables farmers to sell produce directly at MSP.
- States urged to promote the app and increase farmer participation.
Key Discussions and Policy Decisions
- State-specific issues: Land transfer policies, mining regulations, fast-track rape case investigations under FTSC, implementation of ERSS-112, railway projects, and food safety measures.
- National topics: Urban planning, affordable housing, electricity supply, Nutrition Mission, school dropout reduction, Ayushman Bharat hospital participation, and strengthening PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies).
- Sharing of best practices: Gujarat presented its automated supply chain model for the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Future Roadmap and Outcomes
- States committed to implementing action points discussed during the meeting.
- Renewed focus on cooperative federalism to achieve 100% coverage of welfare schemes.
- Strengthened coordination between state and central governments for socio-economic progress.
Strengthening India’s Federal Structure
Zonal Councils play a crucial role in India’s federal system, enabling states to collaborate effectively while addressing regional disparities. By enhancing inter-state dialogue and cooperation, they contribute to balanced economic and social development. The councils also help mitigate regional conflicts, fostering a sense of unity among India’s diverse linguistic and cultural communities.
With increasing engagement and action-oriented decision-making, Zonal Councils are set to become even more instrumental in India’s governance framework.