Introduction

Zonal councils are an Indian government organisation that takes different decisions for development and coordination among different states of India. Zonal councils observe different policy and development programs that are under progress in states and suggest them to ensure better future development of states. The Indian government has developed five zones and all states belong to one of those zones. The “Union Home Minister” is the common chairman of all zones and takes any decision through the development process of all states. 28 states and 8 “union territories” belong to five zones that the union ministry modified in 2019 after retracting the state “Jammu and Kashmir” from article 370. 

Role of zonal councils 

The zonal councils are discussing public interest and common matters of states and forward the discussed recommendations and advice to the central government along with states’ concerns. It is not necessary for zonal councils to be concerned about all states. It is decided in holding meetings of all zones and gives authority to zonal councils to observe different development programs of states and discuss recommendations based on observation. The discussion process about the public interest of states describe all factors of states such as economic condition, fund allocation for development and natural resources. 

Members of zonal councils

Zonal councils are formulated through different levels of IAS officers along with ministers of state and centre government. The IAS officers must have greater knowledge about state politics and different important incidents that are observed in the state. As a result, they are able to discuss public interest and common matters of states and central government. The zonal directors are also controlled and observed by the president and presidents have the authority to collect information and discuss matters in meetings. 

What is a “zonal council article”?

Zonal councils are also regulated through some rules and policies that are stated in an article that is called “zonal councils of the article”. “As per Section 20(1)”  “States Reorganisation Act, 1956” the office for each zone should be situated in such a place within zones that are determined by zonal councils. However, since 1963 all activities and meetings have been functioning from New Delhi through the central government. The state government must follow all recommendations and rules that are prescribed by zonal councils to maintain coordination between the central government and state government authorities of India. 

What are five zonal councils?

The five zonal councils are developed through considered population along with area of states. The first “zonal council” is “Northern Zonal Council” and the second is “Central Zonal Council” that is situated in the central area of India. Besides that, “Eastern Zonal Council” and “Western Zonal Council” are also part of zonal councils. Nevertheless, the two zonal councils that are more underdeveloped as compared with other zonal councils of zones are  “Southern Zonal Council” and “Northeastern council”; these are five zonal councils of India that have control from Delhi through the union ministry of government.

What are the challenges and issues faced by zonal councils while developing coordination?

The role of zonal councils is too complicated due to having the responsibility to maintain peace along with better coordination among all states of India. Better coordination not only supports two states to communicate nevertheless also improper business activities in both states. Nevertheless, the zonal councils have faced issues when two states have opposite policy parties and operate states by them. At that time “zonal councils” had issues due to both states not giving interest to communicate with each other effectively due to misunderstanding. Sometimes it is observed that two states are also engaged in violence due to the not mentioned line of area of both states.

Conclusion 

To conclude on discussion for zonal councils is a government body that supports two or more states to solve any matter that may be lost on the public interstate and arise any violence within the country or states. The zonal council has supported the government to develop recommendations for improving public interest.