The Union Home Ministry held the 28th meeting of the Western Zonal Council in Panaji, Goa, chaired by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah. The meeting brought together the chief ministers of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa, along with the administrator of the union territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The council discussed development priorities and implementation of government schemes across the western region.
What was discussed
Since 2014, Zonal Councils have held 71 meetings compared to only 25 meetings in the decade before, nearly triple the frequency. Across all these meetings, 1,893 issues have been raised, of which 1,445 have been resolved.
The Western Region, described as the “WEST Engine” of economic growth, was highlighted for its strengths across four areas: wealth and finance, exports and ports, start-ups and semiconductors, and tourism and the blue economy. The region contributes substantially to these sectors nationally.
At the 28th meeting, discussions covered:
- Implementation of Fast Track Special Courts for cases involving crimes against women and children
- The Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112)
- Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana enrolment and hospital participation
- Child malnutrition reduction through the Poshan Abhiyaan
- Strengthening of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)
- Railway development projects and environmental clearances
- Cybercrime prevention and digital infrastructure
- School dropout rates
- Coastal security initiatives
The council also noted that disputes between western region states have been resolved, and that Urban Cooperative Banks should connect with relevant financial systems.
What this means for you
If you live in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, or Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, your state government will now have clearer coordination on healthcare schemes like Ayushman Bharat, nutrition programmes, and criminal justice systems. The increased frequency of council meetings suggests faster resolution of inter-state issues and more consistent monitoring of welfare schemes implementation in your area.