UditVani, Jamshedpur : Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Jharkhand on July 9 and 10, for a high-level engagement centered around the 27th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council.
The key event will be held on July 10 at Hotel Radisson Blu in Ranchi, where Shah will chair a critical meeting with Chief Ministers, Home Ministers, and senior officials of Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal.
The Eastern Zonal Council—one of five zonal councils established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956—serves as a platform to discuss and resolve inter-state and Centre-State issues in eastern India.
Agenda Highlights:
1. Pending Financial Dues:
The Jharkhand government is likely to raise demands related to pending dues from the Centre, including ₹1.36 lakh crore from coal royalty compensation, ₹6,000 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission, and ₹300 crore for social welfare programs.
2. Special Assistance for Maoist-Affected Districts:
Jharkhand will request the revival of special financial assistance for remote and left-wing extremism (LWE)-affected districts—especially where development remains limited.
3. Restoration of SRE Funds:
The state will urge the Ministry of Home Affairs to reinstate Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme funds for 14 LWE-affected districts that were removed from the central assistance list.
4. Inter-State Disputes:
Long-pending issues with Bihar and West Bengal—such as property division post-bifurcation, power-sharing, and river water disputes—are expected to be tabled for resolution.
5. Review of Previous Council Decisions:
A performance review of the implementation of decisions from the 26th Eastern Zonal Council meeting will also be part of the discussion.
Security and Traffic Arrangements in Ranchi:
In anticipation of VVIP movement, Ranchi administration has announced traffic curbs and enhanced security protocols:
Auto Restrictions: Auto services will remain suspended between Birsa Chowk and Sujata Chowk from 8 AM–12 PM and again from 2 PM–6 PM on July 10.
Heavy Vehicle Ban: Entry of heavy goods vehicles into the city will be restricted from 6 AM to 10 PM. Light commercial vehicles will also face restrictions during peak hours.
Designated Parking: Special parking zones have been arranged for official vehicles at Ranchi Club, Firayalal School Ground, and Radisson Blu’s lower basement.
Key Attendees:
Amit Shah, Union Home Minister (Chair)
Hemant Soren, Chief Minister, Jharkhand
Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister, Odisha
Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Samrat Choudhary, Ministers from Bihar
Chandrima Bhattacharya, Minister, West Bengal
Senior officers from the Home Ministry, Finance, and Planning Departments of participating states
The Union Home Ministry’s Joint Secretary, Manoj Kejriwal, visited Ranchi earlier this week to review arrangements.
Political & Administrative Significance:
The timing of Shah’s visit is being closely watched in political circles.
With Lok Sabha elections concluded and Assembly polls approaching in several eastern states, the visit is seen as a strategic push by the Centre to strengthen governance cooperation and consolidate political presence in the region.
Beyond financial and administrative deliberations, the visit also reinforces the Centre’s commitment to regional development, counter-insurgency, and cooperative federalism.
Amit Shah’s two-day visit is expected to be a high-impact event for Jharkhand and its neighboring states.
With key policy decisions, development demands, and security strategies on the table, the outcomes of this regional council meeting could significantly shape the future course of governance in eastern India.
