- Highlights of the Address:-
- The Prime Minister of the country has been repeatedly visiting the northeastern states. The visits can be somewhere rounded to 50 times in the last eight years of his term.
- Things such as Peace, Power, Tourism, 5G connectivity, culture, organic farming, and sports, etc. have been brought into the discussion.
- The government has also worked to improve the infrastructural status of the northeastern states. The government has taken up the project of connecting every capital of a North-Eastern state by road, train, and air connectivity.
- Various other development initiatives have been undertaken for the northern-eastern states.
- Some strategic policies have been undertaken:-
- Act Fast for North-East And Act First for North-East Policy.
- India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway project has also been initiated.
What are Zonal Councils?
- They are statutory bodies established by an Act of Parliament (State Reorganization Act of 1956). They are high-level advisory forums constituted to increase cooperation and coordination among States, Union Territories, and the Center.
- What it does?
- It acts as a nodal agency for the economic and social development of the northeastern region.
- For securing balanced and coordinated development and facilitating coordination with states.
- It is an advisory body as it advises the Central Government as to what actions need to be undertaken on such matters.
- The funding of the institution mainly lies with the Central Government with small portions contributed by the State Government.
- Need of Zonal Councils:-
- They provide the best platform where conflicts between the Centre and States can be resolved through discussions and consultations.
- It promotes the idea of regional cooperation in political, economic, and cultural respects.
- Since they are meant for specific zones, they are best when it comes to catering to some specific issues.
- Promoting national integration and arresting regionalistic tendencies.
- Effectiveness of Zonal Councils:-
- Issues of insurgency have been curbed to some extent.
- Left-Wing Extremism has also been minimized.
- Most of the northern-eastern problems have been solved with some great achievements.
- Issues Associated With Zonal Councils:-
- Sometimes the Councils are not able to deliver results in situations of the ongoing crisis in these states.
- The statutory basis of the Council may also mar the efficiency of the institution while dealing with the sovereign exercise of power by the States.
- Its nature is restricted to advisory options and recommendations.
- There is no presence of technical, management, or administrative experts.
- Need for Inter-State Councils (ISC):-
- Due to the growing divide between the Union and States Government, the presence of ISC has turned out to be inevitable. It is also significant for ensuring healthy federalism.
- For a decentralized polity, Inter-State Councils are the basic step that can be taken.
- It provides an ideal environment for discussing the needs of the people of the country, dealing with their issues, and making decisions that affect them in large numbers.
- Issues Associated with ISC:-
- The meetings of this body have been largely inconsistent.
- The issues that are taken up for discussion are narrow in objective and concern.
- Not much autonomy is given to this body, especially in matters of national development, finance, and constitutional responsibilities.
- Lack of civic sense in the society makes it less participatory and cooperative.
- It is not a permanent constitutional body for coordination between the States and Central Government.
- Way Forward:-
- A regular meeting schedule and Secretariat should be there to make meetings much more organized and regular.
- It should be designated the status of a permanent body.
- Bills of national importance should also be discussed in these Councils.
- Extension of technical and administrative expertise should be there to handle complex issues.
- Advises given by the Zonal Council need to be taken seriously.
The Inter-State Councils and Zonal Councils are the most dynamic platforms to discuss policies and strengthen Centre-State relations. These work as an instrument for cooperation, coordination, and the evolution of better policies.