Amit Shah calls for focus on development, faster justice at Central Zonal Council meet in Bastar

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that with Maoist violence receding, the focus must now shift to development and strengthening the justice system. He was addressing the 26th meeting of the Central Zonal Council in Bastar. The meeting brought together chief ministers and senior officials from key states. It was organised by the Inter-State Council Secretariat under the Union Home Ministry, with the Chhattisgarh government hosting the event.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami were present at the meeting.

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Shah said that it was significant that the meeting was being held in Bastar at a time when the region had moved past decades of Maoist violence. He credited security forces for their courage and persistence, and said coordinated efforts by state police, central forces and intelligence agencies made this possible.

He said the progress was the result of a “whole-of-government” approach, with the Centre and states working together to bring development to affected areas. However, he cautioned that the task was not over. “Regions that remained cut off from development for nearly five decades must now be brought on par with the rest of the country,” he said, adding that the effort would continue until these gaps are fully addressed.

Shah also congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that the progress towards a Naxal-free India had been achieved under his leadership.

He said most inter-state issues in the central region had been resolved, describing it as a major achievement for cooperative federalism. The region is now largely free from both Maoist influence and disputes, he added.

Referring to the functioning of zonal councils, Shah said that their meetings had become more regular and result-oriented. Between 2004 and 2014, only 11 meetings were held, while from 2014 to 2026 the number rose to 32. The number of issues discussed increased from 569 to 1,729, with nearly 80 per cent resolved.

He urged states to step up efforts in Jal Jeevan Mission-2, health, nutrition, education and rural development. He called for a coordinated campaign against malnutrition and stressed the need to reduce school dropout rates and improve the quality of education.

The Home Minister also highlighted urban planning, public health, financial inclusion and power sector reforms as key areas needing attention. He said at least half of the policy focus should remain on rural development and strengthening individuals at the grassroots.

On law and order, Shah stressed the importance of timely DNA testing in POCSO and rape cases to improve conviction rates. He also suggested that high courts set up special courts to clear cases pending for more than five years.

He asked states to upgrade their 1930 cyber helpline call centres in line with the Union Home Ministry’s model. He also called for wider publicity of action taken in cases of food adulteration to deter offenders.