Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council on August 20 at Mamallapuram near Chennai
Chief ministers of the southern states and senior representatives from the Union Territories are expected to attend the meeting
States And UTs In The Council
The Southern Zonal Council includes Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana
The Union Territories of Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep are also part of the council
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is reportedly likely to miss the meeting
River Water Sharing On Top Of Agenda
River water disputes between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu and Kerala are expected to be among the main topics of discussion
The meeting will also take up other issues affecting the southern states
Other Key Issues
The council is expected to discuss national issues such as fast-track courts for cases involving crimes against women and children, including rape cases
Education and other matters of national importance will also be discussed
Regional Issues
The meeting will also cover issues related to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin, water sharing and civil aviation
The council provides a platform for states and the Centre to discuss common regional issues and find solutions through cooperation
Senior Officials To Attend
Chief ministers, Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of the member states and Union Territories will take part along with two senior ministers from each state
Chief Secretaries, senior state officials and officers from the Central government will also attend the meeting
The meeting is being organised by the Inter-State Council Secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs, with the Tamil Nadu government hosting the event at Mamallapuram
