Union Home 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—now a showcase of development since Prime Minister Narendra Modi became its MP—Mr Shah tabled a resolution lauding the Prime Minister’s 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’s 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—a “historic and encouraging” record.

Stronger village finances

The Home 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 Home 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–State 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’s constituency work “sets an example of what dedicated representation can achieve”.

With consensus on priorities—from Panchayat finance to judicial speed—the council reaffirmed its role in building “strong States for a strong nation”.