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Consider the following statements about the role of the Home Minister in Zonal Councils:

  1. The Home Minister is the chairman of all five Zonal Councils.

  2. The Home Minister nominates advisors to the councils.

  3. The Home Minister coordinates with Chief Ministers for council meetings.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A1 and 3 only

B2 and 3 only

C1 only

D1, 2, and 3

Answer:

A. 1 and 3 only

Read Explanation:

Zonal Councils in India

  • Zonal Councils are statutory advisory bodies established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.

  • They aim to foster inter-State cooperation and coordination on various matters of common interest.

  • There are five Zonal Councils: Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, and Southern.

Role of the Home Minister

  • The Union Home Minister acts as the ex-officio chairman of all five Zonal Councils. This is a crucial role in coordinating regional policies and ensuring national integration.

  • Each Zonal Council also has a vice-chairman, who is the Union Minister of State nominated by the President. The Chief Minister of the state invited to preside over the meeting acts as the vice-chairman of that particular meeting.

  • The Union Home Secretary acts as the common secretary for all Zonal Councils.

Functions and Composition

  • The Zonal Councils discuss matters of common concern relating to economic and social planning, border disputes, environmental conservation, transport, and other organisational matters.

  • The Chief Ministers and two other cabinet ministers from each participating state are members of their respective Zonal Council.

  • The Home Minister's role is primarily coordinative. He presides over the meetings and guides the discussions to facilitate consensus-building among the states.

  • While the Home Minister chairs the councils, the role of nominating advisors is not directly held by him; the councils themselves function with the input and participation of member states and central government nominees.

Related Questions:

Match the following All India Services with their respective controlling ministries:
i. Indian Administrative Service (IAS) – a. Ministry of Home Affairs
ii. Indian Police Service (IPS) – b. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
iii. Indian Forest Service (IFS) – c. Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Which of the following statement(s) about the Advocate General's qualifications and tenure is/are accurate?
i. A person is qualified to be Advocate General if they have been a judicial officer for 10 years or an advocate of a High Court for 10 years.
ii. The Constitution does not fix the Advocate General's term of office.
iii. The Governor determines the Advocate General's remuneration.
iv. The Advocate General must resign when the Chief Minister changes, as per constitutional mandate.

Analyze the following statements regarding the term and remuneration of the Attorney General (AG) of India.
i. The Constitution of India prescribes a fixed term of office for the Attorney General to ensure his/her independence.
ii. The remuneration of the Attorney General is determined by Parliament through legislation, similar to that of a Supreme Court judge.

Which of the following statements are correct about the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India?

i. The CAG’s salary is equivalent to that of a Supreme Court judge.
ii. The CAG submits three audit reports to the President: on appropriation accounts, finance accounts, and public undertakings.
iii. The CAG can audit the accounts of private companies not financed by the government.
iv. The CAG acts as a guide, friend, and philosopher to the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the duties of the CAG?

(i) The CAG audits all transactions related to the Contingency Fund of India and the Public Account of India, as well as those of the states.

(ii) The CAG compiles and maintains the accounts of both the Central Government and state governments.