States discuss issues of sharing river water, women’s safety and expedited courts with Shah
Three states and as many union territories discussed issues of river water sharing, women’s safety, the establishment of fast-track courts, cybersecurity and the issue of strengthening rural banks with the Minister Minister of the Amit Shah Union at a meeting of the Northern Zone Council in Jaipur on Saturday.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Shah asked the states to resolve the issues amicably and through discussion.
The “complex issues” of sharing the river’s water between member states were discussed, and Shah called on the states to take a “cordial approach to the matter and find a solution within a specified timeframe”, said the MHA in a press release. “Shri Amit Shah said that all stakeholders should come together to establish a strong cooperation mechanism for development, for this purpose the regional councils have been established.”
The meeting was attended by Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur, Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena, Ladakh LG Radha Krishna Mathur, Administrator of Chandigarh Banwarilal Purohit, who is also the Governor of Punjab, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Senior Ministers of Member States.
During the meeting, Shah said that although the Council’s role is advisory, he is pleased to note that in his three years (as Home Minister), more than 75% of the Council’s issues were resolved by consensus. “A total of 47 issues were discussed during the 30th meeting of the Northern Zone Council held in Jaipur today and the 19th meeting of its standing committee,” the MHA said. “Of these, four issues have been identified as important topics at the national level; these are regularly discussed and monitored during meetings of the various zone councils. These include improving banking services in rural areas, monitoring cases of rape and sexual offenses against women and children, setting up fast-track courts for such cases and implementing direct transfer of benefits.
Out of 47 issues discussed, 35 have been resolved, according to the ministry. The growing threat of cybercrime and prevention strategies were also discussed, the MHA said.
Shah “urged states and union territories to conduct awareness campaigns on cyber vigilance through various means,” he said. “Given the profound impact of cybercrimes on national security, public order and economic activity, the Council emphasized the need to ensure the security of the national cyberspace and the safety of citizens as a whole.”
It was also decided at the meeting that a committee chaired by the Union Home Secretary, together with all relevant departments and state governments, will prepare a strategy to deal with the growing threat of cybercriminality.
“The Union Home Minister said that in the northern region, interstate interaction and problem solving between the Center and the states is very important for the development of the country and for the strengthening of the structure federal…”, he added.
