31st Southern Zonal Council Meeting Held in Tamil Nadu

The 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting commenced on 20 August 2026 at Kovalam near Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu. The meeting was chaired by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, who also serves as the Chairman of the Zonal Councils, and it brought together representatives from southern States and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Southern Zonal Council

The Southern Zonal Council is a statutory body created under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. It is one of five Zonal Councils in India and includes Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Puducherry.

Composition and Representation

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay welcomed the Union Home Minister at the hosted session. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan attended the meeting, while Telangana was represented by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka. Puducherry was represented by Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan.

Issues Taken Up in the Meeting

The council discussed inter-state matters linked to river-water sharing, regional security, and administrative coordination. The agenda included the Cauvery dispute, the Krishna dispute, the proposed Mekedatu dam in Karnataka, and safety concerns related to the Mullaperiyar dam.

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar urged the council to adopt a resolution asking the Union government to retain the Lok Sabha strength at 543 seats for the next 25 years on the basis of the 1971 Census. The discussion was linked to delimitation, which is the redrawing of parliamentary and assembly constituencies after a census.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Zonal Councils were created under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
• India has five Zonal Councils, and the Southern Zonal Council is one of them.
• The Lok Sabha currently has 543 elected seats.
• The 1971 Census is often used as a reference point in discussions on delimitation and population-based representation.

Other Governance and Social Issues

Tamil Nadu also raised concerns over the border shooting of three Tamil men near Karnataka. The meeting included discussion on Fast Track Special Courts, which are special courts used for the speedy trial of rape and other serious criminal cases.

Role of Zonal Councils

Zonal Councils are advisory bodies that provide a forum for discussion on inter-state and Centre-State issues. They are linked to cooperative federalism and are used for coordination on matters such as law and order, transport, water disputes, and social welfare administration.