Varanasi — The 25th meeting of the Central Zonal Council commenced today in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, under the chairmanship of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah. The high-level meeting is being held at Hotel Taj and is part of Shah’s ongoing two-day visit to the holy city.
The meeting witnessed the presence of Chief Ministers from four states — Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh), Pushkar Singh Dhami (Uttarakhand), Mohan Yadav (Madhya Pradesh), and Vishnu Deo Sai (Chhattisgarh) — along with senior officials from the central and respective state governments.
The Central Zonal Council, a key inter-state coordination body, discusses and resolves issues concerning infrastructure development, disaster management, law and order, regional cooperation, and citizen welfare. Speaking ahead of the session, UP CM Yogi Adityanath said:
“This council plays a crucial role in strengthening national unity, federal harmony, and driving regional development. It embodies Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Team India.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who arrived in Varanasi on Monday, is overseeing discussions that focus on cooperative federalism and mutual progress across central Indian states.
Ahead of the session, Madhya Pradesh CM Dr. Mohan Yadav visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and while speaking to the media, emphasized the importance of inter-state coordination for the welfare of citizens:
“From citizen welfare to regional development, all critical matters are being taken up for collaborative solutions.”
This meeting follows last year’s 24th edition held in Narendra Nagar, Uttarakhand. The council is expected to draft concrete proposals aimed at enhancing tourism infrastructure, public health, disaster resilience, and cross-border transport connectivity.
The Central Zonal Council, a constitutional body under the Ministry of Home Affairs, continues to serve as a platform for inclusive dialogue and coordinated action between states and the Centre.
