29th Meeting of the Northern Zonal Council in Chandigarh

29th Meeting of the Northern Zonal Council in Chandigarh
Question: Who chaired the 29th meeting of the Northern Zonal Council which was held in Chandigarh on 20th September, 2019?
(a) Narendra Modi
(b) Amit Shah
(c) Ram Nath Kovind
(d) Amitabh Kant
Answer: (b)
Related facts:
  • Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah chaired the 29th meeting of the Northern Zonal Council was held at Chandigarh (Haryana) on 20th September, 2019.
  • The meeting was attended by the Chief Ministers of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Administrator of UT of Chandigarh, Lt. Governor of NCT of Delhi, and various Ministers from these States and senior officers from the Central and State Governments including Chief Secretaries and Secretaries to Government of India.
  • 20% of the area and 13% of the population is covered by the States in this region and North Zone has made important contribution in the economic growth of the country. 
  • The Council reviewed the progress of implementation of the recommendations made at the last meeting and the Council focused on the following issues:
  • Speedy investigation of cases of sexual offence/rape against women and children. It was decided that no stone should be left unturned to adhere to the time limits of 2 months for investigation and enquiry/trial in keeping with Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018.
  • The Council expressed satisfaction over release of Rs. 47,436 crores under CAMPA funds which was long overdue.
  • Report of Survey of India relating to boundary disputes between Haryana and Himachal Pradesh was presented on which there was broad consensus on methodology.
  • It was agreed that coverage of all villages which have hitherto remained without any banking facilities within 5 km radial distance by a Bank/India Post Payments Service must be ensured within 3 months.
  • The Union Home Minister also called upon the States to give their suggestions for improvements in Indian Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code.

Zonal Councils:

  • The five Zonal Councils (Northern, Eastern, Northern, Southern and Central Zonal Councils) were set up under the States Reorganization Act, 1956 to foster Inter-State co-operation and co-ordination among the States.
  • The Zonal Councils are mandated to discuss and make recommendations on any matter of common interest in the field of economic and social planning, border disputes, linguistic minorities or inter-State transport etc.
  • They are regional fora of cooperative endeavor for States linked with each other economically, politically and culturally.
  • The deliberations of the Council were warm and cordial, in the true spirit of cooperative federalism and ended with the decision to host the next meeting in Jaipur.

Links:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1585708