Union home minister highlights southern states' contributions to innovation and revenue generation
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The Southern Zonal Council is a statutory body that provides a platform for inter-state cooperation and resolution of regional issues.
Union home minister Amit Shah chaired the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council near Mamallapuram.
NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday hailed the development journey of the southern states, saying "high literacy rate, trained manpower and technical expertise in the utilisation of deep seas" have been the three pillars behind the progess of these states. Chairing the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council in Tamil Nadu's Mahabalipuram, the Union home minister said: "The people of South India and the governments have also established many excellent traditions in the fields of innovation and revenue generation."
He said that "the whole of India should learn from South India in these two areas," as per the home ministery's statement. Amit Shah on Thursday chaired the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council at a private star hotel in Kovalam near Mamallapuram, where leaders and senior officials from southern states discussed inter-state disputes, security concerns and development priorities. Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay, who serves as the council's vice-chairman, personally welcomed Shah upon his arrival. The two leaders also held a brief interaction before the meeting began. During the proceedings, Vijay was seated alongside Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar. Representatives from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Telangana took part in the meeting. Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Kerala chief minister VD Satheesan and Telangana deputy chief minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka were among those who attended. Puducherry chief minister N Rangasamy was absent from the meeting, with lieutenant governor K Kailashnathan representing the Union territory.
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