The Standing Committees of the Zonal Councils (Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western and Central) scrutinize issues sponsored by member States/UTs and Central Ministries/Departments. They also monitor action taken on the recommendations of the Zonal Councils. From February 1, 2023, to January 31, 2026, ten meetings of the Standing Committees were held, including two meetings of the Western and Central Zonal Councils in January 2026. The agenda included issues related to state reorganization, mining, environment and forests, infrastructure development, water sharing, and sharing good practices. Other important issues discussed were coverage of villages by banking facilities, malnutrition in children, dropout rates in schools, performance of public hospitals in Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, power sector reforms, urban planning, sexual offences, digital infrastructure, and cybercrimes. This information was provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. Release ID: 2226443. Visitor Counter: 80. Posted on 11 FEB 2026 4:37 PM by PIB Delhi.
Key Entities Referenced
Zonal Councils: Forums for discussion and recommendations on matters affecting multiple states and UTs, categorized by region (Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western, Central).
Standing Committees: Committees within each Zonal Council that scrutinize issues and monitor actions taken on Zonal Council recommendations.
Ministry of Home Affairs: The ministry under which the Zonal Councils operate, responsible for internal security and administration.
Rajya Sabha: The upper house of the Indian Parliament, where a statement related to the Zonal Councils was presented.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana: A health insurance scheme discussed in the meetings of the Standing Committees.
Ministry of Home Affairs
ROLE OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE
REGIONAL COUNCILS
Posted On: 11 FEB 2026 4:37PM by PIB Delhi
The issues sponsored by the member States/UTs and Central Ministries/ Departments for consideration of
the various Zonal Councils (i.e. Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western and Central Zonal Councils) are first
scrutinized by the respective Standing Committees of these Zonal Councils. The Standing Committees
also monitor action taken on the recommendations of the Zonal Councils.
During the last three years starting from 1st February, 2023 till 31st January, 2026, ten (10) meetings of
the Standing Committees of various Zonal Councils have been held, including two meetings of Standing
Committees of the Western and Central Zonal Councils which were organised in the month of January
2026.
The agenda discussed in these meetings were broadly in the nature of issues arising from the
reorganization of states; matters related to mining, environment and forests, accelerating development of
infrastructure projects, water sharing issues among States/UTs, sharing good practices by States and UTs
etc.
Besides, several issues of high importance to the nation and States/UTs have also been discussed in these
meetings, such as those pertaining to coverage of villages by brick-and-mortar banking facilities within a
defined radius, malnutrition in children, dropout rates in school education and related matters,
performance of public hospitals in Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, power sector reforms, urban
planning, timely investigation and trial in cases of sexual offences against women and children, issues
related to digital infrastructure, issues related to cybercrimes etc.
This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written
reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
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RK/PR/PS/SK/SC
(Release ID: 2226443) Visitor Counter : 80
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