Tirupati: Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 29th meeting of the Southern Zonal Council here on Sunday.
Amit Shah asked the states to give top priority to address the menace of drugs and check their spread. Chief Ministers should give priority to addressing the menace and spread of narcotics, as drug usage destroys the lives and potential of our youth, Shah said in his closing remarks at the meeting.
The Union Home Minister also wanted the states to have zero tolerance to child sexual abuse cases as crimes against children were 'unacceptable.' Cases under the POCSO Act should be given top priority. There should be zero tolerance on such cases. The time frame of completing the investigation in 60 days should be strictly adhered to, Shah said.
He asked the states to create an independent institution of Director of Prosecutions to expedite prosecution (in criminal cases). He said the Centre has initiated measures for amending the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Evidence Act. Shah invited the states to submit their inputs for the amendments.
Noting that a National Forensic Science University and Rashtriya Raksha University have been established, the Home Minister wanted the states to set up at least one forensic science college with syllabus in local language to train manpower to meet the requirements of scientific investigation.
Amit Shah also announced at the Southern Zonal Council meeting that the Centre has decided to observe November 15 as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas,' every year in honour of tribal people's contribution in the freedom movement and nation building. "The Government of India has decided to observe November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas. The day will be observed in various formats over a week to highlight the contribution of tribal communities to India's freedom struggle and national development," Shah said.
Chief Ministers, ministers and top officials from the southern states and Union Territories attended the meeting.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy delivered the welcome address. Karnataka Chief Minister Basvaraj Bommai and Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangaswamy were also attending the meeting.
The other states were represented by the ministers or officials. Telangana Home Minister Mohammed Mehmood Ali, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, Tamil Nadu Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, Kerala Revenue Minister K. Rajan, Puducherry incharge Lt Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Andaman and Nicobar Lt Governor Devendra Kumar Joshi, and Lakshadweep Administrator Praful Patel were attending the meeting.
The meeting discussed 26 key issues such as cooperation between states, conflicts, border issues, internal security, infrastructure development, industries, tourism development, and economic development.
The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the decisions taken at the previous meeting.
IANS/PTI
