Tamil Nadu Appoints Two Ministers to Southern Zonal Council, Marks First Representation Under TVK Government

July 26, 2026

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has nominated two Cabinet ministers to represent the state in the Southern Zonal Council, the Centre’s key inter-state coordination forum, marking the first appointments to the body under the TVK-led coalition government that assumed office in May.

According to a Gazette notification issued by the state government, Energy Resources and Law Minister R. Nirmalkumar and School Education, Tamil Development, Information and Publicity Minister Rajmohan have been appointed as members of the Council.

They will represent Tamil Nadu along with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, who heads the state delegation to the high-level forum.

New Adviser Appointed to Southern Zonal Council

The state government has also expanded its administrative representation by appointing K. Manivasan, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, as the second Adviser to the Southern Zonal Council.

He will work alongside Chief Secretary M. Saikumar, who continues as the principal adviser to the Council.

The appointments were notified through G.O. Ms No. 461 issued under the provisions of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. The order replaces the nominations made by the previous government through a 2021 government order.

Southern Zonal Council’s Role in Inter-State Coordination

The Southern Zonal Council is one of the five zonal councils established under the States Reorganisation Act to promote cooperation between the Centre and states on matters of common interest.

The forum brings together Chief Ministers, senior ministers and Chief Secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to discuss issues requiring coordination among southern states.

Key issues discussed at the Council include infrastructure development, internal security, border management, river water disputes, transport connectivity, disaster management, social welfare and other governance matters.

First Representation of TVK-Led Government

The latest nominations are significant as they mark the first representation of the TVK-led coalition government in the Southern Zonal Council since coming to power.

The appointments are expected to strengthen Tamil Nadu’s participation in regional policy discussions and cooperative decision-making on issues affecting southern states.

During the previous DMK government, Tamil Nadu was represented in the Council by then Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, former Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa and former Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister P.K. Sekarbabu.