Question

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?

• A. 1 and 3 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 1 only
• D. 1, 2, and 3

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 1 and 3 only

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.