Shah hails southern states: 'Biggest contributor to nation's development', Pg9

Key Highlights:

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council (SZC) in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.
• Shah lauded the southern states for their significant contributions to national development, citing high literacy, skilled workforce, and technical expertise in deep-sea utilization.
• Key issues discussed included inter-state water disputes like the Mullaperiyar Dam and Krishna waters, the freezing of Lok Sabha seats, and funding for Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
• The meeting emphasized the importance of cooperative federalism and mutual dialogue for resolving regional issues.
• Andhra Pradesh and Telangana agreed to resolve asset and liability division issues in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Detailed Insights:

• The Southern Zonal Council meeting serves as a platform for fostering inter-state cooperation and addressing common concerns among member states and Union Territories.
• The Union Home Minister highlighted the southern region's contributions across sectors such as R&D, IT, AI, industrial development, and agriculture.
• Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Chief Ministers advocated for continuing the freeze on Lok Sabha seats, expressing concerns about potential changes in political representation due to population control measures.
• Kerala's Chief Minister sought a revised funding approach for Centrally Sponsored Schemes, which are central government initiatives implemented by states with shared funding.
• Telangana's Deputy Chief Minister reiterated the state's lower riparian rights over surplus Krishna waters and emphasized adherence to established adjudicatory mechanisms.
• Karnataka's Chief Minister also urged reconsideration of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which aims to standardize mineral taxation and restrict state levies.
• The Home Minister stressed the need for early resolution of water-related issues, suggesting river linking projects from the Brahmaputra to the Kaveri and Godavari to ensure long-term water security.
• Malnutrition and stunted growth were identified as national problems, with Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh recognized for pioneering efforts in combating them.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Zonal Councils: Statutory bodies established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, to promote inter-state cooperation and coordination.
• Cooperative Federalism: A governance model where central and state governments collaborate to achieve common objectives and implement policies.
• Delimitation: The process of redrawing boundaries of Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies to ensure population equality, typically after each census.
• Centrally Sponsored Schemes: Welfare programs formulated by the Central Government but implemented by State Governments with shared financial assistance.