Union Home Minister chairs the Western Zonal Council. Know how it encourages cooperative federalism

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on June 11 chaired a meeting of the Western Zonal Council, comprising the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

Various issues pertaining to these states including borders, security issues, infrastructural issues including transport and industries were discussed in the meeting. The meeting was held after a gap of two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As the outcome of these meetings often leads to better coordination and work, they have an adjudicatory nature as well. These councils support the Centre’s efforts to promote cooperative federalism.

Discussions at Zonal Councils have led to important initiatives regarding Internal Security, Coastal Security, Mega City Policing, sharing of information on crime and criminals by the concerned states, Jail Reforms and Communal Harmony. They have also resolved many socio-economic problems in states like trafficking in women and children, National Disaster Management. The councils and its deliberations have strengthened the preparedness for disaster management, implementation of Right to information Act and implementation of National Employment Guarantee Bill.

Zonal Councils

The Zonal Councils handle matters involving the Centre and States, as well as one or more States that fall within the Zone. Under Section 15-22 of the States Reorganization Act, 1956, five Zonal Councils were established in 1957. The Home Minister of the Union chairs each of these five zonal councils; the Chief Minister of the host state (to be chosen by rotation every year) will be the vice chairman. Each Zonal Council has set up a Standing Committee consisting of Chief Secretaries of the member States of their respective Zonal Councils. These Standing Committees meet from time to time to resolve the issues or to do necessary groundwork for further meetings of the Zonal Councils.

Besides, Western Zonal Council, there are other councils such as Northern Zonal Council, Central Zonal Council, Eastern Zonal Council, and Southern Zonal Council. Another council of the same nature but having distinct duties is the Interstate council.

Interstate Council

Inter-State Council is a recommendatory body with duties to investigate and discuss the subjects of common interest between the Union and State(s) or among the States. It makes recommendations for better coordination of policy and action on these subjects and deliberating upon such other matters of general interest to the States which may be referred to it by its Chairman. The Prime Minister is the chairman of the council.