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Union ÑDz©ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³ Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, is set to chair the 27th meeting of the Western Zonal Council on Saturday, 22nd February 2025, in Pune, Maharashtra. The Western Zonal Council comprises the states of Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, and the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. Hosted by the Maharashtra Government, the meeting is being organised by the Inter-State Council Secretariat under the Ministry of ÑDz©ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³ Affairs, in collaboration with the state government. The meeting will be attended by the Chief Ministers of the member states and the Administrator of the Union Territories, along with two senior ministers from each state. Additionally, Chief Secretaries, Advisors, senior officers from the state governments, Union Territories, and senior officials from the central government, including the Union ÑDz©ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³ Secretary and the Secretary of the Inter-State Council, will also participate. Established under Sections 15-22 of the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, the five Zonal Councils were created in 1957 to promote regional cooperation and coordination among states. The Union ÑDz©ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³ Minister serves as the Chairman of all five Zonal Councils, with the Chief Ministers of the member states and the Administrators or Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories as members. The position of Vice-Chairman rotates among the Chief Ministers, while two additional ministers from each state are nominated by the Governor to serve as members. Each Zonal Council also operates a Standing Committee at the level of Chief Secretaries to address key issues. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has consistently emphasised the importance of leveraging cooperative and competitive federalism to drive national development. In this spirit, the Zonal Councils serve as a crucial platform for fostering collaboration, enabling systematic dialogue and discussion on inter-state and Centre-State matters. Shri Amit Shah has reinforced this approach by transforming the role of the Zonal Councils from an advisory body into an action-oriented forum, ensuring effective resolution of regional and national concerns. In line with this shift, meetings of the Standing Committees of all Zonal Councils, except the Southern Council, were convened last year. The Western Zonal Council will address pressing issues involving both Centre-State and inter-state relations. Key topics of discussion include the swift investigation and resolution of cases related to sexual offences against women and children, the implementation of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), and expanding access to banking services, including India Post Payment Bank branches within a five-kilometre radius of every village. Other critical matters such as the deployment of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112), infrastructure development, environmental concerns, mining regulations, food security policies, and broader regional interests will also be deliberated. Beyond regional concerns, the Zonal Councils regularly discuss issues of national importance, such as power sector operations, urban master planning, malnutrition eradication under POSHAN Abhiyan, strategies to reduce school dropout rates, participation of government hospitals in Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, and the strengthening of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). By providing a structured mechanism for dialogue and collaboration, these councils play a vital role in enhancing governance efficiency and promoting balanced development across India.