Central Zonal Council Meets In Varanasi, Backs 2047 Vision
26 Jun 2025
2 Min Read
CW Team
Union 亚博体育官网首页 and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah chaired the 25th Central Zonal Council meeting in Varanasi on Monday, joined by the Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Opening the session in Kashi鈥攏ow a showcase of development since Prime Minister Narendra Modi became its MP鈥擬r Shah tabled a resolution lauding the Prime Minister鈥檚 leadership and the valour of the armed forces; members adopted it unanimously.
Dispute-free council, faster decision-making
Mr Shah highlighted that the central zone remains the only Zonal Council with no inter-state disputes, calling it a model for the Prime Minister鈥檚 goal of a developed India by 2047. He noted a marked rise in activity: 28 council meetings and 33 standing-committee meetings have been held since 2014, double the tally for the previous decade, settling 1,287 issues鈥攁 鈥渉istoric and encouraging鈥� record.
Stronger village finances
The 亚博体育官网首页 Minister urged member States to draft rules that boost Gram Panchayat revenues, arguing that healthier local finances will reinvigorate the three-tier Panchayati Raj system.
Nineteen items on the table
The council examined 19 matters, including:
- Expanding Fast-Track Special Courts for rapid trial of sexual-offence cases
- Ensuring a brick-and-mortar bank branch within set distances of every village
- Full roll-out of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112)
- Eradicating child malnutrition and cutting school drop-out rates to zero
- Strengthening the co-operative sector across member States
Structure and purpose of Zonal Councils
Formed under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, the five Zonal Councils foster co-operative and competitive federalism. Chaired by the Union 亚博体育官网首页 Minister, they bring together Chief Ministers, nominated State ministers and senior officials to resolve cross-border issues. Although advisory, the councils have become vital for smoothing Centre鈥揝tate relations; 62 meetings of councils and their standing committees have taken place in the past eleven years.
Kashi as a template
Praising the rapid transformation of Varanasi from ancient pilgrimage city to development symbol, Mr Shah said Prime Minister Modi鈥檚 constituency work 鈥渟ets an example of what dedicated representation can achieve鈥�.
With consensus on priorities鈥攆rom Panchayat finance to judicial speed鈥攖he council reaffirmed its role in building 鈥渟trong States for a strong nation鈥�.
Union 亚博体育官网首页 and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah chaired the 25th Central Zonal Council meeting in Varanasi on Monday, joined by the Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Opening the session in Kashi鈥攏ow a showcase of development since Prime Minister Narendra Modi became its MP鈥擬r Shah tabled a resolution lauding the Prime Minister鈥檚 leadership and the valour of the armed forces; members adopted it unanimously.Dispute-free council, faster decision-makingMr Shah highlighted that the central zone remains the only Zonal Council with no inter-state disputes, calling it a model for the Prime Minister鈥檚 goal of a developed India by 2047. He noted a marked rise in activity: 28 council meetings and 33 standing-committee meetings have been held since 2014, double the tally for the previous decade, settling 1,287 issues鈥攁 鈥渉istoric and encouraging鈥� record.Stronger village financesThe 亚博体育官网首页 Minister urged member States to draft rules that boost Gram Panchayat revenues, arguing that healthier local finances will reinvigorate the three-tier Panchayati Raj system.Nineteen items on the tableThe council examined 19 matters, including:Expanding Fast-Track Special Courts for rapid trial of sexual-offence casesEnsuring a brick-and-mortar bank branch within set distances of every villageFull roll-out of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112)Eradicating child malnutrition and cutting school drop-out rates to zeroStrengthening the co-operative sector across member StatesStructure and purpose of Zonal CouncilsFormed under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, the five Zonal Councils foster co-operative and competitive federalism. Chaired by the Union 亚博体育官网首页 Minister, they bring together Chief Ministers, nominated State ministers and senior officials to resolve cross-border issues. Although advisory, the councils have become vital for smoothing Centre鈥揝tate relations; 62 meetings of councils and their standing committees have taken place in the past eleven years.Kashi as a templatePraising the rapid transformation of Varanasi from ancient pilgrimage city to development symbol, Mr Shah said Prime Minister Modi鈥檚 constituency work 鈥渟ets an example of what dedicated representation can achieve鈥�.With consensus on priorities鈥攆rom Panchayat finance to judicial speed鈥攖he council reaffirmed its role in building 鈥渟trong States for a strong nation鈥�.
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