Union Home Minister Amit Shah will lead the 32nd meeting of the Northern Zonal Council in Faridabad, Haryana, on Monday.
The high-level meeting will bring together senior officials and ministers from the Centre, northern states, and Union Territories to address a wide range of governance and development issues.
Under Shah’s chairmanship, the Council is likely to discuss major national-level concerns, particularly the safety of women and children.
The agenda includes the accelerated investigation of sexual offence cases and the implementation of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) to ensure swift justice.
These measures are aimed at strengthening the legal framework and improving conviction rates in sensitive cases.
The meeting may also take up matters related to delivering banking services to every village through brick-and-mortar branches, a move intended to promote financial inclusion across rural and remote regions.
Another major topic for discussion is the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112), which seeks to provide a unified and efficient emergency helpline for citizens.
Focus on Regional Development
The Council is likely to deliberate on regional issues, including improving nutrition, education, healthcare, electricity supply, urban planning, and the cooperative sector.
These discussions form part of the Council’s ongoing effort to promote coordinated development across northern India.
The Northern Zonal Council comprises Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Chandigarh.
The Union Home Minister serves as the Chairperson, while Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is the Vice-Chairperson.
Senior officials from the Government of India, state governments, and Union Territories will attend the meeting.
Strengthening Centre–State Coordination
The Inter-State Council Secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs will organise the meeting, with the Haryana Government serving as the host.
Though Zonal Council recommendations are advisory in nature, they have, over the past few years, played a pivotal role in fostering cooperation, resolving disputes, and promoting understanding between the Centre and the states.
Established under the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, the five Zonal Councils, including the Northern Council, provide a structured platform to address inter-state issues.
Over the last eleven years, the Zonal Councils and their standing committees have held 63 meetings, demonstrating their importance in strengthening India’s cooperative federal structure.
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