Amit Shah to Chair 31st Southern Zonal Council Meeting in Tamil Nadu Today

August 20, 2026

Chennai: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council in Kovalam near Chennai in Tamil Nadu on Thursday, with the meeting expected to focus on issues requiring coordination between the Centre and southern states and Union Territories.

The meeting is being held in the Mahabalipuram area of Tamil Nadu and is being organised by the Inter-State Council Secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs, with the Tamil Nadu government hosting the event.

Southern Zonal Council meeting

The Southern Zonal Council comprises Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, along with the Union Territories of Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep.

Chief Ministers of the member states, along with Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of the Union Territories, are expected to participate in the meeting. Senior officials, including Chief Secretaries and Home Secretaries of the respective states, will also attend.

Key issues likely to be discussed

The meeting is expected to discuss a range of issues concerning inter-state cooperation, economic growth, industrial investment and infrastructure development.

Other areas on the agenda include water resource sharing, education, healthcare, information technology, disaster management, crime prevention and border-related issues.

Issues concerning the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act and water-sharing projects, along with matters related to civil aviation and other Centre-state concerns, are also expected to figure in the discussions.

Who will attend the meeting?

The meeting will bring together political and administrative representatives from the Southern Zonal Council’s member states and Union Territories.

Two senior ministers from each participating state are also expected to attend, along with Chief Secretaries, advisers and other senior state government officials. Senior officers from the Central government will also participate.

Role of Southern Zonal Council

The Zonal Councils were established under Sections 15 to 22 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, to provide a platform for structured dialogue and cooperation between states and between the Centre and states.

The Southern Zonal Council serves as a forum where issues involving multiple states can be discussed and efforts can be made to find solutions through consultation and coordination.

A Standing Committee comprising the Chief Secretaries of member states also examines issues before matters requiring further consideration are placed before the Zonal Council.