Ranchi, Jul 10 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said zonal councils have transformed from being mere discussion forums into “engines of cooperation,” noting that 83 per cent of issues taken up in their meetings have been resolved.
Shah made the remark at the 27th Eastern Zonal Council meeting, attended by representatives from the four eastern states — Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal —including Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his Odisha counterpart Mohan Charan Majhi.
“Under the Modi government, regional councils have evolved from mere ‘Forum of Discussion’ into ‘Engines of Cooperation’. The resolution of 83 per cent of issues during regional council meetings underlines the effectiveness and growing importance of these forums,” Shah said.
In today’s meeting, long-pending complex issues related to Masanjore Dam, Taiyabpur Barrage and Indrapuri Reservoir were discussed in detail in addition to the issues related to division of assets and liabilities of many public sector undertakings (PSUs) between Bihar and Jharkhand states, which were pending since the time of division of Bihar, and decisive steps were taken with mutual consent towards their resolution.
Shah said the number of zonal council meetings rose to 63 between 2014 and 2025 as compared to 25 between 2004 and 2014.
“We have moved forward from an average of 2 to 3 meetings per year to holding on average 6 meetings per year. A total of 1,580 issues were discussed in these meetings out of which 1287, i.e. 83 per cent, issues have been resolved,” Shah asserted.
He emphasised that the Centre was committed to advancing the development of states with renewed focus and direction, calling for collective efforts to achieve this goal.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has presented the vision of Team Bharat to the country on the basis of cooperative federalism. …we should all move forward together to achieve the goal of development of India through the development of states and making India a fully developed nation by 2047,” Shah said.
He said that during 2014 to 2025, the pace of organising these meetings has increased and they have become more productive, a statement from the Home Ministry said.
“The zonal councils were conceived with the objective of making them a strong foundation of cooperative federalism. They have now become an actionable platform from an advisory one and through these we have been successful in resolving issues between the Centre and the states and among the states to a large extent,” he added.
The eastern states should make more efforts towards early implementation of three new criminal laws, Shah said, adding that more work also needs to be done in the matter of narcotics control in these states, for which district level NCORD meetings should be held regularly.
“Due to the unity of all the states and the bravery of the security forces, we have achieved unprecedented success against Naxalism. We will make the country free from Naxalism by March 31, 2026,” he added.
The Union Home Minister said that Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha have become free from Naxalism to a large extent, while West Bengal has already been freed from this problem, Shah said.
The Eastern Zonal Council unanimously passed a thanksgiving resolution for the bravery of the India’s armed forces.
“During Operation Sindoor, our forces have demonstrated unparalleled valour, precision, and bravery to the entire world,” Shah said.
He added, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown strong resolve and sent a clear message of India’s firm stand against terrorism to the global community.” The meeting also discussed a wide range of issues of national importance including implementation of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) for speedy trial and speedy disposal of rape cases against women and children, brick-and-mortar banking facility within the designated radius of each village, implementation of Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112) and various issues of common interest at the regional level including nutrition, education, health, power, urban planning and strengthening of cooperative systems.
“The entire eastern India has been a land of devotion, knowledge, music, scientific research and revolution. Bihar and eastern India have contributed a lot in establishing the basic ideals of education. Many great personalities including Swami Vivekananda, Birsa Munda Ji, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Babu Jagjivan Ram have led the country in many fields from this land,” he said.
During the meeting, Jharkhand CM Soren raised 31 issues concerning the state, including Rs 1.36 lakh-crore in dues from central coal PSUs, and called for improved infrastructure and job creation through MSMEs, officials said.
Jharkhand also raised the issue of a separate Sarna religious code for tribals.
Soren in a post on X said the demands included priority to local inhabitants in PSUs, safe mines closure and Centre’s support for boosting tourism and protecting tribal heritage among others.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chowdhary said, “A committee was formed to resolve the pending issues including assets division between Bihar and Jharkhand post bifurcation of Bihar.” According to officials, Jharkhand demanded amendments to the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act to ensure that mining companies return land to the state government after mining is completed. PTI NAM BDC NAM MNB
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