Question

Which of the following is/are correct regarding the Zonal Councils established under the States Reorganisation Act of 1956?

i. The Zonal Councils are statutory bodies created to promote cooperation and coordination among states.

ii. The Home Minister of the Central Government acts as the chairman of all five Zonal Councils.

iii. The North-Eastern Zonal Council was established under the same Act as the other five Zonal Councils.

• A. Only i
• B. Only i and ii
• C. Only ii and iii
• D. All of the above (i, ii, and iii)

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Only i and ii

Zonal Councils in India

• The Zonal Councils are statutory bodies established by the Part B States (Application and Amendment) Order, 1957, which was issued under Part III of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.

• Their primary objective is to foster cooperation and coordination among the states within each zone on various matters of common interest, thereby promoting national integration.

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

• The Union Home Minister serves as the ex-officio Chairman of all these five Zonal Councils.

• The Chief Ministers and two other ministers nominated by the Governor from each state in the zone are members of the respective Zonal Council.

• The North-Eastern Council (NEC), established in 1972 by an Act of Parliament (the North Eastern Council Act, 1971), is a separate entity. It is not part of the original five Zonal Councils established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.

• The Zonal Councils, though advisory in nature, play a crucial role in discussing and making recommendations on issues related to economic and social planning, border disputes, transport, and river waters, among others.

• The Zonal Councils are considered vibrant forums for inter-state cooperation and have been instrumental in resolving many inter-state issues.