Photo Source; Babushahi Bureau
Amit Shah chairs 32nd Northern Zonal Council Meeting in Faridabad, vows stern action in Delhi bomb blast case
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, November 17, 2025 — Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Monday chaired the 32nd meeting of the Northern Zonal Council (NZC) in Faridabad, Haryana.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Ministers of Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi, senior ministers, Lieutenant Governors, the Chandigarh Administrator, and top officials of member states and Union Territories.
The meeting began with tributes and two minutes of silence for those who lost their lives in the recent car bomb blast in Delhi and the explosion at Nowgam Police Station in Jammu & Kashmir.
Shah said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, eliminating terrorism from its roots is a collective commitment. He asserted that the culprits of the Delhi blast “will be hunted down even from the depths of the netherworld and brought to justice with the strictest punishment.”
Highlighting the importance of Zonal Councils, Shah said they play a crucial role in cooperation, coordination, and policy synergy among states, translating the Prime Minister’s vision of “Strong states to build a strong nation” into action.
He noted that from 2014 to 2025, the number of Zonal Council and Standing Committee meetings increased two-and-a-half times compared to 2004–2014, with 1,600 issues discussed and 81.43% resolved.
The Home Minister emphasised urgent attention to issues affecting women and children, calling for the expansion of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) to ensure time-bound justice in sexual offence cases. He stressed that no civilised society can tolerate such crimes and enhancing safety remains a top priority.
Shah said cooperation, agriculture, and fisheries can significantly contribute to poverty eradication and job creation. Citing Prime Minister Modi’s vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi,” he highlighted 57 initiatives launched to strengthen the cooperative sector, including computerisation of PACS, formation of new national cooperative societies, and the establishment of Tribhuvan Sahkari University.
He added that Zonal Councils, though advisory in nature, have evolved into action-oriented platforms that deliver concrete results. Shah reiterated the country’s focus on regional strength, national progress, and global leadership. He urged all states to work together on water resource management and related challenges.
The Home Minister also spoke about the positive impact of the three new criminal laws, noting a 25–40% rise in conviction rates. He urged state governments to modernise investigative and forensic processes and integrate them with online court systems.
Shah appreciated Rajasthan’s contributions to promoting millets and encouraged all states to include millets in the free food grain supply scheme to improve production and public health.
During the meeting, issues such as FTSC implementation, water-sharing, higher education, banking access in rural areas, the ERSS-112 emergency response system, and other regional concerns were discussed.
Six national priority agenda items were also reviewed, including urban master planning, power supply systems, strengthening PACS, tackling child malnutrition under Poshan Abhiyan, reducing school dropout rates, and expanding Ayushman Bharat.
Shah praised the cultural and spiritual heritage of Surajkund, emphasising its historical relevance. He also recalled the sacrifices of Sikh Gurus, especially Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, whose contributions he said were pivotal in preserving India’s cultural and spiritual identity.