Gandhinagar
On August 28, Home Minister Amit Shah is set to preside over the 26th meeting of the Western Zonal Council in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This council comprises the states of Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, and the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, as well as Daman & Diu. The meeting is being coordinated by the Inter State Council Secretariat, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the Government of Gujarat. The meeting will see the participation of the chief ministers of the member states, the administrator of the Union Territories, and two senior ministers from each state. Additionally, chief secretaries, advisors, senior officers from the state governments, Union Territories, union home secretary, secretary of the inter-state council, and other central government officials will be present. Established in 1957 under the States Reorganization Act, the Zonal Councils aim to promote cooperative and competitive federalism. The Union Home Minister chairs these councils, with chief ministers, administrators, and nominated ministers from each state as members. The standing committees at the chief secretary level further facilitate discussions on various issues such as infrastructure, mining, water supply, environment, and state restructuring. These councils are pivotal in fostering better understanding and collaboration between the central and state governments, focusing on the overall development of the country.
