Amit Shah meets Tamil Nadu CM Vijay ahead of Southern states’ CMs meet

Union Home Minister Amit Shah met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in Chennai on Wednesday, ahead of the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council scheduled for Thursday.

“Met Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru C. Joseph Vijay in Chennai, ahead of the 31st Meeting of the Southern Zonal Council,” Shah said in a post on X.

The meeting comes as Shah prepares to chair the Southern Zonal Council meeting on August 20, where he is expected to interact with chief ministers and other representatives from the southern states.

Southern Zonal Council meeting

The Southern Zonal Council was established under Sections 15 to 22 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, as one of five zonal councils created to promote coordination among states and the Centre.

Shah is the chairman of the council, while Tamil Nadu CM Vijay serves as vice-chairman.

The council comprises Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, along with the Union Territories of Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

The meeting is expected to take up several inter-state issues, including long-standing river water disputes involving Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Focus on national issues

The Centre has said that meetings of the Zonal Councils also provide a platform to discuss broader issues of national importance.

The agenda is expected to include Fast Track Special Courts aimed at speeding up the investigation and disposal of cases involving crimes against women and children, including rape cases.

Education-related issues are also likely to be discussed.

The government describes the Southern Zonal Council as a forum for resolving disputes and strengthening cooperation between the Centre and member states and Union Territories.

Although the councils are advisory in nature, the Centre says they have increasingly played an important role in promoting mutual understanding, coordination and cooperation among states and regions.