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New Indian Express
03-08-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Rape, POCSO trials stretch in several states
MANGALURU: Data tabled in the Lok Sabha on August 1 has revealed that India's Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), established to expedite justice in cases of rape and child sexual abuse under the POCSO Act, continue to face serious delays in trial disposal, with several states recording an average trial duration of over three years. As per the Ministry of Law and Justice, 725 FTSCs, including 392 exclusive POCSO (e-POCSO) courts, are currently operational across 29 States and Union Territories. These courts, created under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme funded through the Nirbhaya Fund, have together handled 5,38,772 cases since inception. Of these, 3,34,213 cases have been disposed of - roughly 62% of the total. However, the average time taken by these courts paints a grim picture. Delhi tops the list of delays, with FTSCs taking 1,562 days (over four years) for rape cases and 1,717 days for POCSO cases. On the other end of the spectrum, Puducherry has reported the fastest POCSO trial completions, averaging just 180 days, while Chhattisgarh took an average 300 and 365 days to dispose POCSO and rape cases respectively. Among the states, Uttar Pradesh has recorded the highest number of cases under the Fast Track Special Courts scheme, with 1,84,159 cases instituted and 91,459 disposed, marking a disposal rate of just under 50%. The state-wise performance shows significant variation. Kerala has emerged as a top performer, disposing of 26,202 out of 32,494 cases, marking an impressive 81% clearance. Among southern states, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh report moderate efficiency - Karnataka has cleared about 73% of cases, while Andhra Pradesh trails with 54% disposed. In contrast, West Bengal shows the worst disposal ratio, having cleared only 457 of 5,611 cases - an abysmal 8%.
India Gazette
10-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Long-pending water issues discussed in 27th Eastern Zonal Council meeting chaired by Amit Shah
Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], July 10 (ANI): The 27th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Thursday witnessed discussions on several long-pending and complex inter-state prominent issues involving disputes related to Jharkhand's Masanjore Dam and Bihar's Taiyabpur Barrage and Indrapuri Reservoir. These water-sharing and infrastructure matters have remained unresolved for years and were brought to the table in an effort to promote cooperation and find mutually agreeable solutions among the eastern states. The Eastern Zonal Council comprises Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal, serving as a platform to address regional concerns through mediation with the Centre. Along with this, issues related to division of assets and liabilities of many Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) between Bihar and Jharkhand states, which were pending since the time of division of Bihar, were also discussed in detail and decisive steps were taken with mutual consent towards their resolution, a Home Ministry statement mentioned. The 27th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council also addressed a wide range of national issues. These include implementation of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) for speedy trial and speedy disposal of rape cases against women and children, brick-and-mortar banking facility within the designated radius of each village, implementation of Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112) and various issues of common interest at the regional level including nutrition, education, health, power, urban planning and strengthening of cooperative systems. Addressing the meeting, the Home Minister said that 'Eastern states should make more efforts towards early implementation of three new criminal laws.' He said that 'more work also needs to be done in the matter of narcotics in these states, for which district-level NCORD meetings should be held regularly.' Shah also said that the 'four states of the eastern region should go beyond the traditional and structural framework in the field of skill training and prepare courses as per the need.' The meeting was attended by Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, and Chandrima Bhattacharya, West Bengal Finance Minister. Chief Secretaries and other senior officials of the member states and senior officials of the Central Government also participated in the meeting. The meeting was organised by the Inter-State Council Secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the Government of Jharkhand. In his address, the Home Minister further said that in Operation Sindoor, our forces have made the whole world experience their valour, precision and bravery, and for their courage and valour, the Eastern Zonal Council unanimously passed a thanksgiving resolution for the bravery of the forces. He said that from 2014 to 2025, the pace of organising these meetings has increased, and they have become more productive. Union Home Minister also said that the Zonal Councils were conceived with the objective of making them a strong foundation of cooperative federalism. He said that the Zonal Councils have now become an actionable platform from an advisory one, and through these, we have been successful in resolving issues between the Centre and the states and among the states to a large extent. Shah said between 2004 and 2014, a total of 25 zonal council meetings were held, while between 2014 and 2025, this number reached 63, more than double. He said that we have moved forward from an average of two to three meetings per year to holding on average six meetings per year. Shah said that a total of 1,580 issues were discussed in these meetings, out of which 1287, i.e. 83 per cent, issues have been resolved, which is a matter of great satisfaction for all of us. He said that the resolution of 83 per cent of issues in the meetings of zonal councils in the Modi government shows the significance of these meetings. Five Zonal Councils were established under Sections 15 to 22 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. Union Home Minister is the Chairman of the five Zonal Councils, and the Chief Ministers, Lieutenant Governors, Administrators of the Member States, Union Territories are its members, of whom the Chief Minister of one State from the Member States is the Vice-Chairman by rotation every year. The Governor nominates two Ministers from each Member State as members of the Council. Each Zonal Council has also constituted a Standing Committee at the level of Chief Secretaries. The issues proposed by the states are first placed for discussion before the Standing Committee of the respective Zonal Council. After consideration in the Standing Committee, the remaining issues are placed for consideration in the meeting of the Zonal Council. (ANI)
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Business Standard
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Amit Shah to chair Eastern Zonal Council meeting in Ranchi on July 10
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to chair the Eastern Zonal Council meeting in Ranchi on July 10 in which about 70 representatives from the four eastern states — Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal — are expected to participate, an official said on Wednesday. Security has been beefed up in Ranchi in view of the meeting and Shah is scheduled to arrive in the state capital on Wednesday evening. Under Sections 15 to 22 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, five zonal councils were established in the country. The Union home minister is the chairperson of these five zonal councils, and the chief ministers/lieutenant governors/administrators of the member states and Union territories are the members. "Massive security arrangements have been made in the state capital in view of the Eastern Zonal Council meeting here tomorrow, to be chaired by the Home Minister," the official said. The zonal councils take up many important issues including discussing broad issues of national importance such as the speedy investigation of cases of sexual offences against women and children, implementation of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) for their swift disposal, providing brick-and-mortar banking facilities within the designated area of every village, implementation of the Emergency Response Support System and various regional-level common interest issues such as strengthening nutrition, education, health, electricity, urban planning, and the cooperative system, the official added. From Jharkhand, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore, Minister Deepak Birua, Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari, Principal Secretary (Home) Vandana Dadel, and DGP Anurag Gupta are likely to attend the meeting. Bihar is likely to be represented by ministers Vijay Choudhary and Samrat Choudhary, the official said, adding, Odisha's delegation may include Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Deputy CM Parvati Parida while West Bengal is likely to be represented by Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya. Jharkhand, among other matters, is likely to raise the issue of ₹1.36 trillion pending dues from PSUs such as Coal India in view of mining. Ranchi Police have already issued a traffic advisory prohibiting auto-rickshaws between Birsa Chowk and Sujata Chowk on July 10. Besides, the entry of goods vehicles into city limits will remain restricted from 6 am to 10 pm on the day. The meeting was originally scheduled for May 10 but was postponed in view of the India-Pakistan tense situation then. As per the government, the chief minister of one member state (rotating every year) acts as the vice-chairperson while the governor nominates two ministers as members of the council from each member state. Each zonal council has also formed a permanent committee at the level of chief secretaries. Issues proposed by the states are initially presented to the permanent committee of the concerned zonal council for discussion, officials said. After consideration by the permanent committee, the remaining issues are then presented to the zonal council meeting for further deliberation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the need to leverage cooperative and competitive federalism for the all-round development of the country, they said. With a belief that strong states make a strong nation, the zonal councils provide a structured mechanism for dialogue and discussion on issues affecting two or more states or the Centre and states, and through this, serve as an important platform to enhance mutual cooperation, they added. The role of the zonal councils is advisory; however, over the past few years, these councils have proven to be an important factor in promoting healthy bonds of mutual understanding and cooperation in various fields. More than 60 meetings of the various zonal councils and their permanent committees have been held in the last eleven years. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India Gazette
25-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Transformative opportunity": Chhattisgarh CM lauds decision to hold next Central Zonal Council meet in Bastar
Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], June 25 (ANI): Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday lauded the decision to hold the next meeting of the Central Zonal Council in Chhattisgarh's Bastar. The decision to hold the next meeting in Bastar was announced during the 25th meeting of the Central Zonal Council held in Varanasi on Tuesday, where it was decided that the next session of the Council will take place in Bastar, Chhattisgarh. Welcoming the move, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai remarked that the decision to hold the Council meeting in Bastar is not only a matter of immense pride for the region but also a 'transformative opportunity'. With the unwavering support of the Central Government, Bastar is set to redefine its identity, not as a land of conflict, but as a land of possibilities and progress, he added. Officials expressed hope that by the time the next Council convenes, Bastar would have witnessed decisive progress in the ongoing efforts to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism. With this forward-looking approach, the region is being envisioned as a future model of peace, resilience, and inclusive growth, as per a statement. Meanwhile, a total of 19 issues were discussed in the 25th meeting of the Central Zonal Council, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. These issues included several matters of national importance, the implementation of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) for the speedy investigation and prompt disposal of rape cases against women and children, provision of brick-and-mortar banking facilities within the designated radius of every village, and implementation of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement. In the meeting, the Home Minister suggested that 'all states of the Zonal Council should ensure the eradication of child malnutrition, bring the dropout ratio down to zero, and strengthen the cooperative sector.' The Home Minister also urged the member states to increase the income of Gram Panchayats and to formulate rules for this purpose. He said that enhancing the income of Panchayats would make India's three-tier democratic Panchayati Raj system more effective The meeting was attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. Senior ministers from the member states, the Union Home Secretary, the Secretary of the Inter-State Council Secretariat, Chief Secretaries of the member states, and other senior officials from the states and central ministries and departments also participated in the meeting. (ANI)
India Gazette
24-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
MP CM Yadav to attend 25th Central Zonal Council meeting chaired by Union Minister Amit Shah in Varanasi today
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], June 24 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to chair the 25th meeting of the Central Zonal Council to be held in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi on Tuesday and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav along with CMs of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh will attend the meeting. During the meeting, key issues including regional security, development, health, administrative coordination, and state-specific concerns will be discussed. The Central Zonal Council aims to strengthen cooperation among states, resolve inter-state disputes through dialogue, deliberate on matters of common interest, ensure equitable utilisation of natural resources, and promote developmental activities in sensitive regions. The Central Zonal Council comprises the states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. The meeting is being organised by the Inter-State Council Secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh government. Under Sections 15 to 22 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, five Zonal Councils were established. The Union Home Minister is the chairperson of these five Zonal Councils, and the Chief Ministers, Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of the member states and Union Territories are their members. Among these members, the Chief Minister of one member state (rotating every year) acts as the vice-chairperson. From each member state, the governor nominates two ministers as council members. Each Zonal Council has also formed a permanent committee at the level of the Chief Secretaries. Issues proposed by the states are initially presented to the permanent committee of the concerned Zonal Council for discussion. After consideration by the permanent committee, the remaining issues are then presented to the Zonal Council meeting for further deliberation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised the need to leverage cooperative and competitive federalism for the country's all-around development. With the belief that strong states make a strong nation, the Zonal Councils provide a structured mechanism for dialogue and discussion on issues affecting two or more states or the Centre and states, and through this, serve as an important platform to enhance cooperation. The role of the Zonal Councils is advisory; however, over the past few years, these councils have proven to be an important factor in promoting healthy bonds of mutual understanding and cooperation in various fields. With the cooperation of all state governments, central ministries, and departments, a total of 61 meetings of the various Zonal Councils and their permanent committees have been held in the last eleven years. The Zonal Councils also discuss broad issues of national importance, including the speedy investigation of cases of sexual offenses against women and children and the implementation of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) for their swift disposal; providing brick-and-mortar banking facilities within the designated area of every village; implementation of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112); and various regional-level common interest issues such as strengthening nutrition, education, health, electricity, urban planning, and the cooperative system. (ANI)
