?️ Security & Arrival

Union Home Minister Amit Shah landed in Ranchi late on July 9, 2025, with tight security in place, ahead of the 27th Eastern Zonal Council meeting on July 10. Over 70 delegates from Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal assembled under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 framework.

Key Attendees

Jharkhand was represented by CM Hemant Soren along with key officials. Bihar was represented by Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary and minister Vijay Choudhary. Odisha’s CM Mohan Charan Majhi and Deputy CM Parvati Parida, and West Bengal’s finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya attended 0.

Major Agendas (20+ Items)

• Pending Coal Dues: Jharkhand pressed for ₹1.36 lakh crore in pending dues from PSUs like Coal India 1.
• Water Disputes: Discussed Mayurakshi Dam, Upper Mohananada project, Massanjore Dam, Taiyabpur Barrage, and Indrapuri Reservoir 2.
• Asset-Liability Split: Bihar and Jharkhand formed a panel to resolve PSU division disputes after the 2000 state bifurcation 3.
• Fast-Track Courts: Emphasis on FTSCs for sexual offences, village banking, and ERSS-112 system 4.

Shah’s Key Messages

Amit Shah highlighted that Eastern Zonal Councils are now “engines of cooperation” – 63 meetings since 2014 vs 25 earlier, with 83% issue resolution rate. He praised security forces (notably Operation Sindoor) and pledged Naxalism elimination by March 31, 2026 5.

He urged states to fully implement three new criminal laws and amplify actions against narcotics via district-level coordination 6.

State Voices & Reservations

Hemant Soren tabled 31 demands, including metro plans for Ranchi, Tribal University, enhanced welfare under Maiyan Samman, and DMFT policy reform 7.

Odisha’s CM Majhi pushed for women’s safety (SHAKTI app), swift trial timelines, surplus power exports, renewable energy labs, and rural banking in unbanked panchayats 8.

Looking Ahead

Next meeting venue confirmed: Puri, Odisha, for the 28th Eastern Zonal Council in 2026 9.

Trivia for Quiz Enthusiasts

• First Eastern Zonal Council meeting after initial May date was postponed.
• 63 meetings held between 2014–2025 versus 25 between 2004–2014.
• ₹1.36 lakh crore: Jharkhand’s pending dues demand.
• Target date for Naxal elimination: March 31, 2026.
• Next host city: Puri.

Conclusion

The Ranchi meeting showcased cooperative federalism, tackling diverse interstate issues—water, resources, legal reforms, security, and infrastructure. With strong security, decisive action, and clear roadmaps, the Council reaffirmed its role in shaping Eastern India’s future.

Source: Theprint