Amit Shah Chairs 26th Central Zonal Council in Bastar – Naxal‑Free India & Development Drive

<p><strong>Overview</strong>: On 19 May 2026, Union Home Minister <strong>Shri Amit Shah</strong> chaired the 26^th meeting of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Central Zonal Council (CZC) – a statutory body under the Inter‑State Council that facilitates cooperation among groups of states on regional issues (GS2: Polity)">Central Zonal Council (CZC)</span> in Bastar, Chhattisgarh. The meeting marked the declaration of a <span class="key-term" data-definition="Naxalism – left‑wing insurgency that has operated in parts of central and eastern India, challenging internal security and development (GS2: Polity)">Naxal‑free</span> India and highlighted a coordinated push for development in former insurgent areas.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>All four member states – Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand – attended, signalling strong federal cooperation.</li> <li>The government announced that the entire Bastar region is now free of both Naxal activity and inter‑state or Centre‑state disputes.</li> <li>Meetings of Zonal Councils have risen from 11 (2004‑2014) to 32 (2014‑2026); issues discussed grew from 569 to 1,729, with about 80% resolved.</li> <li>Emphasis on the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Whole of Government Approach – a strategy where all ministries, state governments and agencies work together to achieve a common goal, ensuring policy coherence (GS2: Polity)">Whole of Government Approach</span> to deliver development to erstwhile Naxal‑affected districts.</li> <li>Priority sectors identified: water supply (<span class="key-term" data-definition="Jal Jeevan Mission‑2 – the second phase of the national programme to provide tap water to every rural household (GS3: Economy)">Jal Jeevan Mission‑2</span>), health, nutrition, education, financial inclusion and power reforms.</li> <li>Calls for faster resolution of criminal cases, including setting up special courts for cases pending >5 years and achieving a three‑year disposal target for all cases up to the Supreme Court by 2029.</li> <li>Implementation of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) – a mechanism that transfers subsidies and benefits directly to beneficiaries' bank accounts, reducing leakages (GS3: Economy)">DBT</span> model, ensuring banking access within 5 km for all schemes.</li> <li>Strengthening of cyber security helplines (1930) and strict action against food adulteration.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>The Central Zone spans from the Himalayan foothills to the Gangetic plains and the mineral‑rich central plateaus. It contributes significantly to India’s food‑grain reserves and houses major mineral deposits. Chhattisgarh alone links seven states, giving the zone strategic importance for logistics and defence.</p> <p>During the meeting, the Minister stressed that the fight against Naxalism is not over; development gaps that persisted for five decades must be closed. He urged Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries to collaborate on malnutrition, school dropout reduction, and quality improvement in education.</p> <p>On law‑and‑order, the Minister highlighted the need for speedy DNA testing in <span class="key-term" data-definition="POCSO – Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, a law that safeguards children against sexual abuse and mandates fast trial (GS4: Ethics)">POCSO</span> cases to achieve near‑100 % conviction, and the creation of special courts for long‑pending cases.</p> <p>The three <span class="key-term" data-definition="Naveen Nyaya Sanhita – the new criminal justice code replacing the Indian Penal Code, aimed at modernising criminal law (GS2: Polity)">Naveen Nyaya Sanhita</span> reforms have been rolled out, though implementation challenges remain.</p> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>Understanding the functioning of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Inter‑State Council – a constitutional body that facilitates coordination between the Centre and states, under Article 263 of the Constitution (GS2: Polity)">Inter‑State Council</span> and its Zonal Councils is essential for GS‑2 (Polity). The article illustrates federal cooperation, a key theme in Indian governance.</p> <p>The shift from insurgency‑dominated regions to development‑focused policies ties into GS‑3 (Economy) topics such as regional disparity, resource allocation, and infrastructure programmes like <span class="key-term" data-definition="Jal Jeevan Mission‑2 – aims at universal tap water supply, impacting health and productivity (GS3: Economy)">Jal Jeevan Mission‑2</span>.</p> <p>Legal reforms, fast‑track courts, and the emphasis on <span class="key-term" data-definition="POCSO – safeguards children and reflects the justice system’s responsiveness (GS4: Ethics)">POCSO</span> enforcement relate to GS‑4 (Ethics) and GS‑2 (Polity) discussions on law, order, and human rights.</p> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <p>States must align their development plans with the Centre’s agenda, ensuring banking access, water supply, and digital security reach every village. Monitoring mechanisms should be institutionalised to track progress on the 80 % resolved issues. Continued emphasis on rapid case disposal and strict enforcement of anti‑adulteration norms will reinforce the rule of law and public confidence.</p> <p>By integrating security, development, and governance, the Central Zone can become a model for converting conflict‑prone areas into growth engines, a lesson valuable for future administrators.</p>