Southern Zonal Council Addresses Critical Interstate Issues
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chaired the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, attended by the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu (Shri C. Joseph Vijay), Andhra Pradesh (Shri Chandrababu Naidu), Karnataka (Shri D. K. Shivakumar), Keralam (Shri V. D. Satheesan), along with the Lieutenant Governors of Puducherry (Shri K. Kailashnathan) and Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Admiral (Retd.) D. K. Joshi), Lakshadweep Administrator (Shri Praful Patel), and Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana (Shri Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu). Senior state and central government officers also participated.
The meeting focused on resolving long-pending interstate issues, particularly water disputes that are critical to southern India's development. Union Home Minister Shah emphasized that southern states contribute significantly to India's development through high literacy rates (94% in some states), trained manpower, and technical expertise in deep-sea utilization, making them pillars of national progress in IT, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, and attracting foreign direct investment.
Water Dispute Resolution Framework
Shah highlighted the successful resolution of water disputes in North India, where five out of eight pre-British era water sharing issues were completely resolved, creating a dispute-free region from Kashmir to Uttar Pradesh. He proposed that southern states adopt a similar approach through joint meetings involving the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Home Affairs, Inter-State Council, and concerned states. All southern states agreed to resolve pending water disputes through mutual dialogue and positive approach. Specifically, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana agreed to resolve issues related to division of assets and liabilities in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Shah proposed interlinking India's major rivers from Brahmaputra to Cauvery and Godavari, which could prevent water shortages for the next 100 years and create cost-effective waterways saving fuel and improving transportation. He noted that while protecting state interests is legitimate, allowing water to flow into the sea while states remain deprived serves no one's interests.
Additional Priority Areas
The Council addressed Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) as critical for prompt investigation and disposal of crimes against women and children, particularly rape and POCSO cases. Shah noted that new criminal laws provide additional tools for accelerating this process.
Education and health issues received significant attention, with focus on reducing the national school dropout ratio from the current 9.5% to below 3%. Shah emphasized that only below 3% dropout rate would create educated citizens and enable true implementation of constitutional spirit. Malnutrition and stunting were identified as growing national problems that could impair future generations' capabilities, with special recognition given to Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh for initiating the fight against malnutrition.
A three-year roadmap for drug-free India prepared by MHA was discussed, requiring involvement of all central and state government departments to protect future generations.
Institutional Progress
Shah highlighted the transformation of Zonal Councils from ceremonial platforms to meaningful mechanisms since 2014. Compared to 2.5 meetings annually during 2004-2014, the councils now hold 6 meetings yearly. From 2014 to 2026, 70 meetings resolved 1,445 out of 1,869 issues (approximately 80%), including matters pending for 60 years.
The meeting was framed within Prime Minister Modi's Independence Day vision that what wasn't achieved in seven decades must be accomplished in the next 5-7 years to secure India's global competitive position.