Why in news?

• Eastern Zonal Council, comprising the states of Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand, will hold a meeting on April 26 in Kolkata.
• Idea of zonal council was mooted by the first Prime Minister of India to “develop the habit of cooperative working” among these States.
• Five Zonal Councils were set up vide Part-Ill of the States Re-organisation Act, 1956.
• Chairman – Union Home Minister
• Members-Chief Minister and two other Ministers as nominated by the Governor from each of the States and two members from Union Territories included in the zone.