Amit Shah chairs 27th meeting of the Western Zonal Council in Pune; 18 issues discussed
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 27th meeting of the Western Zonal Council in Pune, Maharashtra, on 22 February 2025, attended by the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa and the Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Summary
On 22 February 2025 Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 27th meeting of the Western Zonal Council in Pune, Maharashtra, with the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa and the Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. Eighteen issues were discussed, along with six issues of national importance. Shah said the western region accounts for more than half of India's trade with the world and 25% of GDP, that the government aims to have a bank branch or postal banking facility within 3 km of every village, urged states to treat malnutrition and stunting in children very seriously, and said digital infrastructure and cyber crime would also be brought under the purview of the Inter-State Council. Zonal Councils were set up under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956; each is chaired by the Union Home Minister, and besides each Chief Minister, the Governor nominates two other ministers from every member state.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 22 February 2025, Pune, Maharashtra
- Meeting
- 27th, Western Zonal Council
- Members
- Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa; Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
- Issues
- 18, plus 6 of national importance
- Western region
- More than half of India's trade with the world
- Legal basis
- States Reorganisation Act, 1956 (Sections 15-22)
- Composition
- Union Home Minister chairs; CM plus two ministers nominated by the Governor from each state
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Where was the 27th meeting of the Western Zonal Council held on 22 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Pune
Amit Shah chaired the 27th meeting of the Western Zonal Council in Pune, Maharashtra.
Which Union Territory is a member of the Western Zonal Council along with Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa?
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Correct answer: B — Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
The Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu attended, as the UT is a member of the Western Zonal Council.
How many issues were discussed at the 27th meeting of the Western Zonal Council, apart from six issues of national importance?
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Correct answer: A — 18
A total of 18 issues were discussed, and six issues of national importance were also taken up.
Under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, apart from its Chief Minister, how many other ministers from each member state sit on a Zonal Council?
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Correct answer: A — Two, nominated by the Governor
Section 16 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 provides that each Zonal Council includes the Chief Minister and two other ministers of each member state nominated by the Governor; the Union Home Minister is the chairman.