Chidambaram for strengthening of zonal councils

"There is a need to revive and strengthen zonal councils to resolve the issues of common interest in spirit of cooperative federalism to promote better Centre-state and inter-state relations," he said at the 26th meeting of Northern Zonal Council here.

Listing a few recent initiatives taken by the union government to strengthen Centre-state relation, Chidambaram, who is also the zonal council chairman, said a commission headed by former CJI Justice M M Punchi was constituted to look into the changing dynamics of Centre-state relations in the context of social, political, economic, environmental, governance and other issues.

However, he said, only 17 states have so far submitted their comments on the recommendations of the Commission's report circulated to them about two years ago.

The Centre has also transferred the work of zonal council secretariat to inter-state secretariat, he said.

Chidambaram said differences on one issue must not hinder the process of cooperation on other issues.

The Home Minister said there should be frequent meetings of the council to resolve issues of regional and national importance.

He proposed to hold the next meeting of the council in February 2013 in Rajasthan or Jammu and Kashmir.