What happened: Amit Shah chaired the 31st Southern Zonal Council and set coordination priorities
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu. The meeting included participation from Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors/Administrators of multiple southern jurisdictions, along with senior state chief secretaries and central government officers.
The meeting agenda covered five broad areas: (1) inter-state water disputes and early resolution, (2) joint problem-solving for governance issues between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, (3) faster investigation and disposal for rape and POCSO cases, (4) nutrition and school dropout outcomes, and (5) coordination for a drug-free India using a multi-year roadmap.
Key participants and platform
The 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting was attended by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan, Puducherry Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Lieutenant Governor Admiral (Retd.) D. K. Joshi, Lakshadweep Administrator Praful Patel, and Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu. Senior officials from states and the central government also participated.
Background and earlier position: Zonal Council as a coordination forum since 2014
Related current affairs
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- Amit Shah to chair Southern Zonal Council in T.N. today
- Mediating Telangana’s inter-State issues
- STATE OF PLAY: Mediating Telangana’s inter-State issues (sub-head and argument framing)
- T.N. CM writes to PM seeking intervention in dam row