Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Goa Chief Minister (CM) Pramod Sawant, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis with the Deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde and others during a group photograph at the 27th meeting of the Western Zonal Council, in Pune. (PTI Photo)UNION HOME Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, who chaired the 27th meeting of the Western Zonal Council in Pune Saturday, expressed concern over the prevalence of malnutrition and stunting among children and citizens of the member states. He urged functionaries to prioritise eliminating malnutrition to improve overall health. At the meeting, Shah also expressed concern over the import of pulses and emphasised the need to boost domestic production. During the meeting, a new target was set to establish bank branches or postal banking facilities within three kilometres of every village from the earlier goal of five kilometres.The meeting of the Western Zonal Council, which was held at Westin Hotel in Pune, was attended by the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa, Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.A press statement from the MHA about the meeting read, “Shri Amit Shah acknowledged that the states in the western zone are among the most prosperous in the country. However, he expressed concern over the prevalence of malnutrition and Stunting among children and citizens in these states.He urged the Chief Ministers, Ministers, and Chief Secretaries of the western zone to prioritise eliminating malnutrition to improve overall health.”The press release stated that Shah emphasised good health was not solely dependent on medicines and hospitals, rather, efforts should be made to ensure children and citizens do not require them in the first place.He stressed the need for serious attention to the problem of stunting in children and called for all possible measures to resolve it. He highlighted the importance of reducing school dropout rates and enhancing the quality of education.The release added, “He (Shah) highlighted significant progress in expanding financial access, noting that the goal of establishing bank branches or postal banking facilities within five kilometers of every village has almost been accomplished. In today’s meeting, a new target was set to further reduce this distance to three kilometres, ensuring even greater accessibility.”Story continues below this adHe expressed concern over the import of pulses and emphasised the need to boost domestic production. He noted that while farmers previously faced difficulties in getting fair prices for pulses, the government has now developed a mobile app that enables the direct purchase of 100% of their produce at minimum support price. He urged western states to actively promote this app and encourage farmer registrations, ensuring fair pricing and contributing to the country’s self-sufficiency in pulse production.Referring to the implementation of three new criminal laws, the press release stated that Shah emphasised it was now time to ensure citizens received 100 per cent of the constitutional rights granted to them.“He further stated that in the coming days, issues related to digital infrastructure and cybercrime will also be brought under the purview of the Inter State Council (ISC). He urged the states to proactively prepare for these developments,” the press release stated. The ISC, set up under Article 263 of the Constitution, has been assigned the duties of investigating and discussing certain subjects in which some or all of the states or union terrritories have common interest.The MHA said 18 issues were discussed at the meeting which include land transfer, mining, speedy investigation of rape cases against women and children, implementing fast track special courts scheme for the speedy disposal of rape and POCSO Act cases, implementing Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112), bank branches and postal banking facility in every village, issues related with Railway projects and food security norms.Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Amit Shah