Chennai, Aug 20: Strengthening coordination between the Union government, southern states and Union Territories took centre stage on Thursday as Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting in Kovalam near Mamallapuram, with the Andaman and Nicobar Islands represented by Lieutenant Governor Admiral D K Joshi.
The high-level meeting brought together Chief Ministers, Lieutenant Governors and senior officials from southern states and Union Territories to deliberate on long-pending inter-state disputes, internal security, administrative coordination and development priorities. The participation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands highlighted the Union Territory’s role in regional governance and cooperative decision-making alongside southern states.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, who serves as the council’s vice-chairman, received Shah on his arrival at the venue. The two leaders briefly interacted before the meeting commenced. During the proceedings, Vijay was seated beside Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
The meeting was attended by representatives from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Telangana. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka were among those present.
Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy did not attend the meeting. The Union Territory was represented by Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were represented by Lieutenant Governor Admiral D K Joshi, while officials from Lakshadweep and senior administrative officers from participating states and Union Territories also attended the deliberations.
The Southern Zonal Council meeting, along with the Standing Committee session, was scheduled to continue until 1.30 p.m.
Long-pending regional issues were expected to feature prominently during the discussions. These included the Cauvery and Krishna river water-sharing disputes, Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project and issues concerning the Mullaperiyar dam.
Tamil Nadu was also expected to raise the recent shooting of three Tamil men near the Karnataka border and seek improved coordination between the two neighbouring states.
Participants were also likely to discuss delimitation and its possible implications for southern states.
Beyond regional disputes, the agenda covered a broad range of governance issues, including strengthening inter-state cooperation, internal security, economic growth, industrial investment, education and healthcare.
The meeting was also expected to examine a proposal for establishing special fast-track courts to ensure quicker disposal of cases involving sexual offences against women and children.
The Zonal Councils were constituted to promote consultation between the Union and state governments and facilitate the resolution of regional issues through dialogue. Officials said the Kovalam meeting was aimed at improving administrative coordination and advancing cooperative federalism.
According to officials, the conference also provides participating governments and Union Territories, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with an opportunity to place region-specific concerns before the Union government while working towards coordinated solutions to issues that have remained unresolved over the years.
Officials added that discussions would focus on practical follow-up mechanisms, including regular coordination among departments and faster implementation of decisions jointly accepted by participating governments and administrations.
