Home Minister Amit Shah to Chair Central Zone Council Meeting in Varanasi
Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a meeting of the Central Zone Council in Varanasi today. Chief Ministers from four states will participate. The meeting will discuss women's safety, health, and regional development.
Amit Shah in UP: Home Minister Amit Shah has arrived in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency, on a two-day visit. The primary objective of this visit is to hold an important meeting with the Chief Ministers of four states in the Central Zone. This meeting, being held in Varanasi for the first time, adds to its significance.
Participants
The meeting will be attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai. These four states constitute the Central Zone. This meeting is taking place at a time when the need for mutual coordination and cooperation among the states is rapidly increasing.
Meeting Agenda
The main agenda of the meeting is to discuss issues affecting two or more states. This meeting serves as a consultative forum to enhance mutual cooperation and find solutions to common problems.
The meeting is likely to specifically discuss the following:
- Measures to expedite investigations into sexual offenses against women and children
- Making the fast-track court system more effective
- Providing brick-and-mortar banking facilities in every village
- Strengthening the emergency response system
- Improvements in education, health, electricity, urban planning, and cooperative systems
States Reorganisation Act and Zonal Councils
India is divided into five zones, each with a council. This provision is made under sections 15 to 22 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. These councils are chaired by the Union Home Minister. All states and union territories are members of their respective zonal councils.
Each year, the vice-chairperson of these councils is selected from amongst the Chief Ministers of the different states. Additionally, each council has a permanent committee at the Chief Secretary level that operates regularly.
Amit Shah's Religious Visit
Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Varanasi a day before the meeting. After arriving in the city, he offered prayers at the Kal Bhairav Temple. This visit is considered significant in the religious city of Varanasi, both officially and spiritually.
Significance of the Meeting
This meeting is considered highly important not only administratively but also politically. With the presence of four Chief Ministers and chaired by the Union Home Minister, this meeting can play a crucial role in several important decisions.
