Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting at a luxury hotel in Kovalam, near Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, on Thursday.
Amit Shah reached Chennai from New Delhi aboard a special aircraft on Wednesday night ahead of the high-level meeting.
The Southern Zonal Council and its standing committee will conduct their proceedings at the same venue from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
The meeting will provide southern states with an opportunity to discuss internal security, economic development, industrial investment, education and healthcare.
Amit Shah and the participating representatives are expected to consider proposals for special fast-track courts to expedite cases involving sexual offences against women and children.
Zonal councils enable the Centre and states to work together on inter-state matters and seek solutions through dialogue.
The discussions may cover the proposed delimitation of parliamentary constituencies, the Cauvery water-sharing dispute and Karnataka’s Mekedatu dam project.
The participants will, however, assess pending infrastructure projects and explore ways to improve connectivity across southern India.
Officials may discuss stronger intelligence-sharing mechanisms, measures to combat drug trafficking and coordinated responses to natural disasters.
The agenda may, however, cover fisheries, coastal security and the implementation of centrally sponsored welfare schemes.
Tamil Nadu will raise the recent shooting incident near the inter-state border that killed three men from the state.
The Tamil Nadu government has accused Karnataka forest personnel of opening fire. It will seek a detailed investigation and action against those responsible.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan will attend the meeting. Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka will also participate in the discussions.
Representatives from Puducherry, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep will also join the deliberations. Senior officials from the participating States and Union Territories will also attend the meeting alongside Amit Shah and other delegates.
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