Chennai, 20 August (H.S.):Union Home Minister Amit Shah will lead a meeting of southern States near Chennai on Thursday, with river disputes, security challenges and development priorities under review, and efforts to improve coordination likely to dominate discussions.

The 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting will be held at a hotel in Kovalam, near Mamallapuram, from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Shah reached Chennai from New Delhi at 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will chair the standing committee session alongside the council meeting. Chief Ministers, Lieutenant Governors and senior officials from participating regions will attend.

Discussions will cover economic growth, industrial investment, internal security, healthcare, education and Centre-State cooperation. A proposal for special fast-track courts to expedite sexual offence cases involving women and children is also likely to be considered.

Politically sensitive issues, including the proposed delimitation of parliamentary constituencies, the Cauvery water dispute and Karnataka's Mekedatu dam project, are expected to figure prominently. Tamil Nadu is also likely to raise the recent border shooting in which three men from the State were allegedly killed by Karnataka forest personnel and seek a detailed investigation.

The council may review pending infrastructure projects, regional connectivity and coordination during natural disasters. Strengthening intelligence sharing, combating drug trafficking, improving coastal security and addressing fisheries-related concerns are also on the agenda. Participating governments may raise issues involving centrally sponsored welfare schemes.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka are scheduled to attend.

Puducherry Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan, the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep representatives and senior officials from the participating States and Union Territories will also take part.

Officials said zonal councils help resolve inter-State issues through dialogue and strengthen cooperative federalism.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman