**Executive Summary**
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 26th meeting of the Central Zonal Council in Bastar on May 19, 2026, marking the historic milestone of a Naxal-free and dispute-free region. The meeting focused on transitioning from security operations to accelerated development, emphasizing social welfare, judicial efficiency, and infrastructure. Key action items include a 2029 deadline for disposing of all criminal cases and the immediate upgrading of cyber security and judicial mechanisms.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Security and Regional Stability**
* The entire Bastar region and the country have been declared Naxal-free, attributed to the "Whole of Government" approach and the bravery of security forces.
* The Central Zone is now free of pending inter-state and Centre-state disputes, facilitating a positive atmosphere for development monitoring.
* Zonal Council meetings have tripled in frequency compared to the 2004–2014 period, with an 80% resolution rate for discussed issues.
* **Development and Infrastructure**
* Priority is shifted toward bringing Naxal-free regions to developmental parity with the rest of the country.
* States must ensure the availability of banking facilities within a five-kilometre radius to support Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes.
* Implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission-2 is prioritized to provide tap water to every household.
* A mandate was issued to focus at least 50% of administrative attention on rural development and individual empowerment schemes.
* **Social Welfare and Education**
* State leaders are called to join a unified fight against malnutrition and improve public health services.
* Efforts must be made to reduce school dropout rates and enhance the overall quality of education.
* Urban planning and power sector reforms are identified as critical drivers for regional transformation.
* **Judicial and Administrative Reforms**
* A target has been set to dispose of every criminal case, up to the Supreme Court level, within three years (by 2029).
* To achieve 100% conviction in POCSO and rape cases, authorities must ensure timely DNA testing.
* Establishments are required to publicize cases of food adulteration and the identities of guilty shops to protect public health.
* States must upgrade "1930" cyber security helpline call centres in accordance with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments (Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand)**
* **Impact:** These states are now responsible for maintaining a dispute-free environment while pivoting resources toward rapid rural and social development.
* **Action Required:** Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries must upgrade cyber helplines, expand banking networks, and prioritize the four sectors of urban planning, public health, financial inclusion, and power reforms.
**High Courts**
* **Impact:** The judiciary is tasked with significantly accelerating the pace of legal resolutions to meet national targets.
* **Action Required:** Establish special courts specifically for the speedy disposal of cases that have been pending for more than five years.
**Law Enforcement and Security Agencies**
* **Impact:** Having cleared the region of Naxalism, the focus shifts to criminal justice efficiency and cyber security.
* **Action Required:** Ensure 100% DNA testing in sensitive cases (POCSO/rape) and implement the three *Naveen Nyaya Sanhita* effectively to meet the 2029 case disposal deadline.
**General Public and Local Businesses**
* **Impact:** Residents gain improved access to water, education, and banking, while businesses face stricter transparency regarding food safety.
* **Action Required:** Shops found guilty of adulteration will be subject to public disclosure of their penalties to inform and protect consumers.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Zonal Council (CZC): An inter-state platform comprising the states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, used for resolving regional disputes and monitoring development.
Naveen Nyaya Sanhita: The three new laws reforming the Indian criminal justice system, aimed at achieving effective implementation and timely disposal of criminal cases.
POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act): Legislation governing crimes against children; the council emphasized 100% conviction rates through DNA testing and special courts.
Jal Jeevan Mission-2: A government program focused on providing tap water to every household, identified as a priority for health and social welfare.
Bastar, Chhattisgarh: The key location and venue of the 26th CZC meeting, representing the strategic milestone of the region becoming Naxal-free.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister and Minister of
Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, chairs 26th meeting
of the Central Zonal Council (CZC) in Bastar,
Chhattisgarh
Home Minister congratulates and expresses gratitude to
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the historic milestone
of a Naxal-free India
It is a matter of great satisfaction that the meeting is being
held in Bastar, and even before the meeting, the entire Bastar
region has become Naxal-free
With a Whole of the Government Approach, all state
governments and every department of the central
government worked to ensure that development reaches
Naxal-free areas
Our fight will not end until the Naxal-free regions are brought
at par with the rest of the country in terms of development
Entire region is now not only Naxal-free but also dispute-free;
no pending inter-state or Centre–state disputes in the region
is a major achievement
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi,
Zonal Council meetings have become a strong platform for
dialogue and resolution, with improved continuity and
outcomes
Zonal Council meetings have nearly tripled compared to
2004–2014, with over 200% increase in issues discussed
Union Home Minister called upon all Chief Ministers and
Chief Secretaries to join hands with the Government of Indiain the fight against malnutrition
Calls for reducing school dropout rates, improving education
quality, curbing adulteration, and ensuring 100% conviction in
POCSO and rape cases
High Courts should set up special courts for speedy disposal
of cases pending for more than five years
States directed to upgrade cyber security helpline 1930 call
centres in line with MHA guidelines
Just as we have freed the country from Naxalism, similarly,
we must achieve the target of disposing of every criminal
case right up to the Supreme Court within 3 years, before
2029
Posted On: 19 MAY 2026 6:26PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, today chaired the 26th meeting of the
Central Zonal Council (CZC) in Bastar, Chhattisgarh. The meeting was attended by Chhattisgarh Chief
Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, Uttar Pradesh Chief
Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath, and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, along with
senior officials from these member states and the Central Government. The meeting was organised by the
Inter-State Council Secretariat, functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs, with the Chhattisgarh
Government as the host.Addressing the meeting, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that it is
a matter of great joy that this meeting is being held in Bastar after achieving the historic milestone of a
Naxal-free India. The entire credit for making India Naxal-free goes to the hard work and bravery of the
jawans of our security forces. Our agencies collected inputs with great precision and, in coordination with
the police forces of all states and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), took timely and decisive
action on every input. Along with this, under the 'Whole of the Government Approach', all state
governments and all departments of the Central Government worked together to deliver development to
the areas freed from Naxalism.
Shri Amit Shah said that our fight is not over yet because the Naxal-affected areas have been lagging
behind in the race for development for nearly five decades. He added that until these areas are brought at
par with the rest of the country in terms of development, our fight will not end. On the occasion of theentire country becoming Naxal-free, the Union Home Minister extended his heartfelt congratulations to
the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
Union Home Minister said that whatever was needed by the Chhattisgarh Government in the fight against
Naxalism, they coordinated with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, and ensured it was
provided. Wherever leadership was required, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister provided it.
This is the result of their efforts that today Bastar has become Naxal-free.
Shri Amit Shah said that after resolving all disputed issues between the states as well as between the states
and the Centre, we are holding this meeting today in a very positive and cordial atmosphere. Shri Shah
said that all the agenda items in today’s meeting were related to the monitoring of development works. He
added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, our federal structure has become
stronger and meetings of the Zonal Councils are being held regularly. As a result, in a vast region covering
four states, no disputes remain either among the four states or between these states and the Centre. This is
a very significant achievement.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the Central Zonal Council comprises the
states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. This zone stretches from the
Himalayan region in the north to the Gangetic plains and further to the plateau regions of central India,
which are rich in forests and minerals. These areas are undoubtedly very important for the country’s
development. He said that this region greatly helps in filling the country’s food-grain reserves. The rich
mineral deposits of this area provide momentum to the nation’s development, and its rich heritage and
culture have played a key role in advancing the country. It is also in this region that almost all the major
centres of faith in the country are located in close proximity to one another. He added that Chhattisgarh
connects nearly seven states, which gives the entire Central Zone immense strategic importance. The
Home Minister said that today this entire region has become not only Naxal-free but also free from
disputes, which is a matter of great joy for all of us.Shri Amit Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, a robust and vibrant
mechanism for Zonal Council meetings has been established. We have made it decisive, brought
continuity to it, and made it result-oriented. In the 10 years from 2004 to 2014, only 11 meetings of the
Zonal Councils were held. This number has increased to 32 meetings between 2014 and 2026. During
2004 to 2014, the Standing Committee held only 14 meetings, which have risen 2.5 times to 35 meetings
between 2014 and 2026. He said that between 2004 and 2014, discussions were held on just 569 issues,
whereas from 2014 to 2026, discussions have taken place on 1,729 issues, out of which nearly 80% have
also been resolved. A large number of the pending issues are related to monitoring, in which there is no
dispute of any kind.
Union Home Minister said that we should focus on Jal Jeevan Mission-2 and arrangements should be done
to provide tap water to every household. He said that health, nutrition, and social welfare are extremely
sensitive issues. The Home Minister called upon all the Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries to join
hands and move forward shoulder to shoulder with the Government of India in the fight against
malnutrition. He added that a lot of work still needs to be done in the field of education to reduce school
dropout rates and improve the quality of schools. Financial inclusion and power sector reforms can make a
very significant contribution in transforming this developing region into a fully developed one.
Shri Amit Shah said that work should proceed with even greater momentum in the four sectors of urban
planning, public health, financial inclusion, and power sector reforms. The Home Minister appealed that at
least 50% of our attention should remain focused on rural development and schemes that empower
individuals.
The Home Minister said that ensuring the availability of banking facilities within a 5-kilometre radius is a
significant achievement, because all our government schemes are based on Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Therefore, all states need to make concrete and serious efforts in this direction.Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that if timely DNA testing is conducted in POCSO and rape
cases, the conviction rate in these cases can increase to 100 per cent. Shri Shah said that High Courts
should establish special courts for the speedy disposal of cases pending in courts for more than five years.
The administration must demonstrate such seriousness in dealing with serious crimes. He urged the Chief
Ministers of all four states to implement their state-level 1930 helpline in accordance with the model
format of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and to update the call centres of the state helplines.
Shri Amit Shah said that in cases of adulteration, wherever a case is registered and a penalty is imposed,
there should be proper arrangements to publicise it widely. He added that this would make the public
aware that adulterated items are being sold in those guilty shops.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the three Naveen Nyaya Sanhita of the
criminal justice system have been implemented very effectively. He added that there are still many issues
in their implementation on which we need to put greater emphasis. The Home Minister said that just as we
have freed the country from Naxalism, similarly, we must achieve the target of disposing of every criminal
case - right up to the Supreme Court - within three years, before 2029.
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