Q. With reference to Zonal Councils in India, which of the following statements are correct?
1.It aims to facilitate economic planning and policy formulation for each state individually.
2.The States Reorganisation Act, 1956 established five Zonal Councils in India.
3.Each Zonal Council consists of the Chief Ministers of the member states.
4.Prime Minister of India is the Chairman of the Zonal Council.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Explanations –
Statements 1 and 4 are incorrect. Zonal Councils are not focused on individual state economic planning. Instead, they aim to promote cooperation, coordination, and resolution of inter-state disputes, fostering regional development and effective governance among member states. The Union Home Minister is the Chairman of all Zonal Councils, while the Chief Ministers of member states act as Vice-Chairmen on a rotational basis for one year at a time.
Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The Zonal Councils were established under Part-III of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. These councils include the Northern, Central, Southern, Eastern, and Western Zonal Councils. Each Zonal Council includes the Chief Ministers of the member states as members, along with two other ministers nominated by the Governor of each state.
Source: AIR
