Pune: The Western Zonal Interstate Council Meeting was held in Pune on Saturday, where Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah stressed the urgent need to tackle malnutrition and school dropout rates in western states. He called for concrete action from state governments to ensure that future generations do not suffer from malnutrition-related growth deficiencies.
The 27th Western Zonal Interstate Council Meeting, organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs in collaboration with the Maharashtra government, was attended by:
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde
Administrators of Union Territories, Chief Secretaries, and the Union Home Secretary
Key Discussions and Resolutions
The meeting focused on 18 critical topics, including:
Strengthening law enforcement to combat sexual harassment and crimes against women and children
Establishing fast-track special courts (FTSCs) to speed up criminal investigations
Expanding banking and postal services to ensure every village has access to a branch within a 5-kilometer radius
Strengthening environmental protection and food safety standards
Shah emphasized that digital infrastructure and cybersecurity will soon be key focus areas in interstate council discussions. He urged states to prepare for upcoming challenges and emphasized the role of strategic planning in long-term economic growth.
Western Region’s Role in National Trade
He highlighted that the western region plays a crucial role in India’s economy, as more than half of the country’s trade passes through this zone. States in the north and central regions also rely on the ports and infrastructure of the western states for global trade.
Calling the western region a model for balanced national development, he noted that its growth benefits other states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Transforming Regional Councils into Change-Driving Institutions
Shah credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for revitalizing the role of regional councils. From 2014 to 2025, a total of 61 council meetings have been held—a 140% increase compared to the previous decade. He also highlighted that 1,541 issues were discussed in these meetings, of which 1,280 have been successfully resolved.
Major Takeaways from the Meeting
Creating master plans for urban development
Expanding affordable housing projects in cities
Enhancing school meal programs to tackle malnutrition
Reducing school dropout rates through policy interventions
Boosting healthcare access through the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
Improving electricity generation and efficiency