The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will lead the 28th meeting of the Western Zonal Council in Panaji, Goa, on September 7, 2026. This gathering will bring together the chief ministers and senior officials from Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu to discuss matters affecting the region and the nation.
About the Western Zonal Council
The Western Zonal Council was established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, and operates as one of five such councils across India. Amit Shah serves as its Chairman, while the Chief Minister of Goa holds the position of Vice-Chairman. The council’s membership includes the chief minister of each member state, along with two senior ministers from each state.
Before issues reach the full council meeting, they are first examined by a Standing Committee comprising chief secretaries from member states and union territories. Only matters that remain unresolved at that level advance to the main council meeting for deliberation.
Since June 2014, a total of 70 meetings of various Zonal Councils and their Standing Committees have taken place across the country.
What the Council Discusses
- Disputes and issues between the Centre and member states or union territories
- Conflicts among member states themselves
- Regional development matters
- Criminal investigations involving rape cases against women and children
- Fast Track Special Courts for swift case disposal
- Emergency Response Support System implementation
- Food safety, banking access, nutrition, education, health, power sector reforms, urban planning, cooperative systems, cybercrime and digital infrastructure
What this means for you
These councils serve as structured platforms where state governments and the central government work together to resolve regional issues and coordinate on matters affecting multiple states. While the councils are advisory in nature, they have become important channels for settling disputes and advancing shared priorities across states. Citizens in the western region may see improved coordination among state governments on issues ranging from law enforcement and banking access to education and infrastructure development.