Amit Shah chairs 28th Western Zonal Council meeting in Goa

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday chaired the 28th meeting of the Western Zonal Council in Goa, focusing on inter-state coordination, cooperative governance and sharing of best practices among member states and the Union Territory.The meeting in Panaji, was attended by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Administrator Praful Patel. Senior officials from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the participating state governments also took part.

#WATCH | Dona Paula, Goa: Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairs 28th Western Zonal Council meeting.

The Western Zonal Council comprises the states of Goa, Gujarat and Maharashtra, along with the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. pic.twitter.com/a4rZEQOpkU

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The proceedings included presentations by the Inter-State Council Secretariat and delegations from the member states and Union Territory. Various issues concerning coordination and cooperation among the participating administrations were taken up for discussion.The Western Zonal Council comprises Goa, Gujarat and Maharashtra, along with the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. It is one of five Zonal Councils established under Sections 15 to 22 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
Shah is the chairman of the Western Zonal Council, while Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is its current vice-chairman. The vice-chairmanship rotates annually among the chief ministers of the member states.The council also has a Standing Committee comprising chief secretaries of the member states and the Union Territory. Issues raised by the states are first examined by the committee, with unresolved matters subsequently placed before the Zonal Council.Although the Zonal Councils have an advisory role, they serve as an important platform for strengthening mutual understanding, coordination and cooperation between states and the Centre.
Shah is on a three-day visit to Goa. On Sunday, he chaired a meeting of the Union Home Affairs Ministry on the issue of creating a drug-free India and outlined a roadmap to tackle the narcotics menace as part of the broader Viksit Bharat vision.