PANJIM: Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized on devising a mechanism for completing investigation as well as trial of rape and/or sexual offense cases involving victims below 12 years within two months.

Chairing the 24th meeting of the Western Zonal Council held at Dona Paula on Thursday, Shah also asked the Chief Secretary to personally monitor the adherence of the legal provisions as he insisted on strengthening law and order besides administrative reforms.

“Detailed monitoring of mechanism to ensure that investigation and trial of sexual offenses/rape against women below 12 years of age must be completed within two months and Chief Secretary must personally monitor periodically adherence to legal provisions of completing investigation and trial,” he said, during the closed-door meeting of chief ministers and ministers of western States and administrator of the union territories.

He also expressed concern for the flood victims in the three western States including Goa, requesting the governments to quickly assess the damage caused by the floods and send their requirement to the Centre. He mentioned that they have already taken an initiative to assess the damage on its own, for which Central teams have been constituted to visit the flood-affected areas without waiting for reports from the States.

The Council also reviewed the progress of implementation of the recommendations made at the last meeting. “The sole purpose of the meeting is to pace up the developmental works in the western States. Upgradation and strengthening law and order in the States will remain our priority. Department of Prosecution and Anti Narcotics Bureau will be also reinforced. For better governance, we must all work unitedly with a pro-active approach, welcome constructive opinion and use modern technology,” he said.

Shah added that the west zone has been instrumental in giving impetus to the Indian economy as these States contribute around 24 per cent to the GDP and 45 per cent to the total exports of the country. Hence, he said, all pending issues between states and the Centre need to be resolved on priority through the medium of Western Zonal Council.

Lauding the western zone States for excellent work and for being harbingers in the cooperative sector, Shah pointed out that they are big exporters of sugar, cotton, groundnut and fish and contribute immensely to the country’s economic development.