Amit Shah to Chair Central Zonal Council Meeting in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar on May 19

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the 26th meeting of the Central Zonal Council in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh on May 19, marking a significant national-level event for the region once affected by Left-Wing Extremism.

Chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh are expected to participate in the meeting aimed at strengthening coordination between states and the Centre.

Ahead of the event, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai chaired a high-level review meeting at Nava Raipur Atal Nagar to assess preparations and finalise issues to be raised during the council discussions.

Highlighting the importance of the platform, Sai said zonal councils have emerged as an effective mechanism for promoting cooperative federalism , administrative coordination and inter-state dialogue. He noted that the Central Zonal Council reflects a spirit of cooperation among member states and plays a key role in achieving the vision of a “Developed India”.

Established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, five zonal councils Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western and Central Zonal Councils were created as statutory bodies to foster cooperation among states on issues such as border disputes, infrastructure, internal security, economic planning and social development. In addition, the North Eastern Council was set up separately in 1971 for the northeastern states. These councils function as consultative forums where the Centre and states discuss regional concerns and seek solutions through dialogue and consensus-building.

Calling the hosting of the meeting in Bastar a matter of pride, Sai said it reflects the state government’s commitment to development in the region. He added that peace and stability in Bastar have improved under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, paving the way for growth and investment.