The Western Zonal Council recently had its 25th meeting chaired by the Minister of Home Affairs in Diu. Issues discussed ranged from the improvement and monitoring of various services to the development of local contingency plans. This article explores the importance, structure, objectives, and functions of the Zonal Councils in India.
Zonal Councils in Focus
Zonal Councils are statutory bodies established via the States Reorganisation Act of 1956. They are not a constitutional body but rather mandated through legislative action. The Act divided India into five zones: Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, and Southern, with a zonal council assigned to each zone.
When forming these zones, numerous factors were taken into consideration including natural divisions of the country, river systems and communication methods, cultural and linguistic affinities, as well as security, law, and order requirements for economic development.
In addition to the Zonal Councils, there’s also a North-Eastern Council, created via the North-Eastern Council Act of 1971. This council includes Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Sikkim. These councils serve as advisory bodies, recommending solutions for issues of common interest in the fields of economic and social planning between the Centre and States, border disputes, linguistic minorities, inter-State transport, and matters associated with the reorganisation of States.
Composition and Organizational Structure of Zonal Councils
The Union Home Minister chairs each Zonal Council. The Chief Ministers of the respective States within the zone act as Vice-Chairmen on a rotational basis for a term of one year. The members include the Chief Minister and two other Ministers, as nominated by the Governor from each State, and two members from Union Territories within the zone. Advisers are appointed by the Planning Commission, now NITI Aayog, and include Chief Secretaries and another officer or Development Commissioner nominated by the States within the zone.
For instance, the Northern Zonal Council comprises Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, National Capital Territory of Delhi, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. On the other hand, the Southern Zonal Council includes Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
Objectives of the Zonal Councils
The main objectives of the Zonal Councils are to promote national integration, prevent the growth of regionalism and particularistic tendencies, provide a platform for the Centre and the States to cooperate and exchange ideas and experiences, as well as to foster a climate of cooperation for the successful and speedy execution of development projects.
Functions of the Zonal Councils
Zonal Councils have the authority to discuss and make recommendations on any matter of common interest in the field of economic and social planning. This includes any issues concerning border disputes, linguistic minorities, or inter-State transport, as well as any matter linked with or arising from the reorganization of States under the States Reorganisation Act.
Through their work and councils’ meetings like the recent 25th meeting of the Western Zonal Council, these bodies play a critical role in facilitating dialogue and cooperation among states and between the central government and states for the overall development of the country.
Last Modified: February 15, 2024