The Southern Zonal Council meeting, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, will take place in Chennai on January 31. The meeting will see the participation of the southern states — Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana — and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

The agenda for the meeting includes discussions on a wide range of issues such as boundary disputes, security matters, and infrastructure concerns, including roads, transport, industries, water, and power. Other topics such as forest and environmental issues, housing, education, food security, tourism, and transport are also expected to be addressed.

The previous Southern Zonal Council meeting was hosted by the Kerala government in September 2022. A subsequent meeting scheduled in Telangana was postponed.

In accordance with established procedures, the zonal council meeting will be preceded by a standing committee meeting where agenda items will be scrutinized and prioritized for discussion. These zonal councils act as platforms for structured discussions on inter-state issues or matters between the Centre and the states.

According to sources in the Tamil Nadu Home Department, the meeting will take place at a private hotel in Mamallapuram, near Chennai.

The Tamil Nadu government is expected to bring up key concerns, including the pending release of Cyclone Fengal disaster relief funds. The state has sought a permanent relief package of Rs 6,675 crore from the Central government, which is yet to be sanctioned. Tamil Nadu is also likely to press for the immediate release of funds and highlight the delay in obtaining presidential assent for its anti-NEET Bill, which has been a long-standing demand.

The Tambaram Police Commissionerate will oversee the security arrangements for the high-profile event. Security drills have already been conducted, and tight measures will be in place, following the standard operating protocol (SOP) for such meetings.

India has five zonal councils, established in 1957 under Sections 15-22 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. These councils facilitate cooperative dialogue on issues among states and between the Centre and the states. The Union Home Minister serves as the chairman of each council, while the Chief Minister of the host state (selected on a rotational basis) acts as the vice-chairman. Additionally, two ministers from each state are nominated as members by the respective Governors.

The upcoming meeting is expected to provide a platform for resolving critical inter-state and Centre-state issues and furthering cooperation among the southern states.