Amit Shah to Lead Key Eastern Regional Council Meeting in Ranchi

Significant Meeting Scheduled in Ranchi

On July 10, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will preside over a crucial meeting of the Eastern Regional Council in Ranchi. An official confirmed on Wednesday that high-level representatives from the eastern states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal are expected to attend. To ensure security during the meeting, stringent measures have been implemented in Ranchi, with Shah arriving in the city on Wednesday evening. The agenda will cover a range of important topics, particularly focusing on the swift investigation of sexual offenses and the implementation of fast-track special courts.

Key Discussion Topics

Among the significant issues to be discussed are advancements in nutrition, education, health, and urban planning in the region. Prime Minister Modi has emphasized the need for cooperative federalism, and these councils serve as advisory bodies to enhance mutual cooperation among the states involved. The meeting, chaired by Amit Shah, is set to take place at 11 AM on Thursday at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ranchi.

Attendees and Expectations

Chief Minister Mohancharan Manjhi of Odisha, along with representatives from Bihar and West Bengal, will be present at the meeting. Bihar's government will be represented by ministers Vijay Chaudhary and Samrat Chaudhary, although the likelihood of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's attendance appears low. Manjhi will be accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Parvati Parida and Minister Mukesh Mahalingam. Minister Chandrika Bhattacharya will represent West Bengal.

Inter-State Issues on the Agenda

The agenda will also include discussions on pending inter-state issues between Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal, as well as a review of the progress made on decisions from previous council meetings. The Jharkhand government may request the central government to release ₹1.36 lakh crore in pending dues. Additionally, they will seek the restoration of Security Related Expenditure (SRE) funds for 17 districts previously classified as affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), which have since been removed from the list, resulting in the cessation of SRE assistance.