Cong wins 15 VCs in Mizoram

The ruling Congress won 15 village councils (VC) followed by the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) bagging eight in the by-election yesterday.
Two village councils were bagged by independents while BJP and Zoram Nationalist Party won one VC each and no parties have majority in four villages, election officials said.
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Though there are a number of other fora like the National Development Council, Inter State Council, governors' and chief ministers' conferences and other periodic high-level conferences held under the auspices of the Union government, the zonal councils are different, both in content and character.
They are regional fora of cooperative endeavour for states linked with each other economically, politically and culturally.

Being compact high-level bodies specially meant for looking after the interests of the respective zones, the zonal committees are capable of focusing attention on specific issues taking into account regional factors even as the national perspective is kept in view.

The main objectives behind the setting up of zonal councils were promoting national integration, arresting the growth of acute state consciousness, regionalism, linguism and particularistic tendencies and establishing a climate of cooperation between the states for successful and speedy execution of development projects.
The 21st meeting of the Western Zonal Council was held at Panaji on September 29, 2015 while the Standing Committee of the Western Zonal Council met on March 23, 2016.

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The meeting will also firm up plans for countering
terrorism, including operationalisation of coastal police station, construction/upgradation of jetties, creation of common coastal security portal of fishermen/boats and computerisation of their movement, and review the status of modernisation of police force.
The issue of linking biometric cards with Aadhar will also be taken up.
The Gujarat government has proposed the agenda for establishment of an international class museum on Harappan civilisation near the archaeological site at Dholavira in Kutch district.
It will also examine a proposal to set up a regional development authority for the development of infrastructure by the state government.

Development issues such as 'Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for All', (Urban) Mission, implementation of Street Vendors (Protection and Regulation) Act, 2014, Shelters for Urban Homeless and applicability of Notification Act, 2006 relating to forest clearance in Gujarat may be taken up during the meeting.
The meeting will also consider six items that remained unresolved during the 21st meeting of Western Zonal Council held in Panaji last year.