Tamil Nadu CM calls for equitable treatment of southern states at Zonal Council meet

At the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council in Mamallapuram on Thursday (August 20, 2026), Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay said southern states seek not preferential treatment but fair and equitable treatment that respects fiscal autonomy and rewards performance alongside equity. He said such an approach would enable high-performing states to continue investing in infrastructure, innovation, and human capital that drive India’s growth.

The meeting was presided over by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Mr. Vijay noted that southern states have consistently been among the principal drivers of the nation’s economic growth. As India prepares for the next Finance Commission, he said, the fiscal devolution framework must recognise both need and performance, and states that have invested in development and fiscal discipline should be supported. Further details of his remarks were not provided in the available source.