Chandigarh, Sep 20 (UNI) Union Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the shortage of water has become a critical issue in almost all states of the country in one way or other and to resolve it, the states have to work in tandem, by rising above the political considerations.
Speaking at 29th meeting of the Northern Zonal Council, organised here, Mr Shah said the Centre is committed for resolving all such pending issues.
He said the Union government has started an exercise for bringing amendments in the provisions of CRPC and IPC, being implemented since the British Rule. He asked the state governments to constitute a committee, comprising senior IPS officers, for sharing their suggestions, with the Central government.

Being an elder brother, Punjab should adopt a positive approach for resolving the pending water disputes with Haryana, the Union Minister said, adding that the Centre is soon going to establish a University for Forensic Sciences.
He urged the state governments to take initiatives in this direction and open at least one Forensic Science college affiliated with this varsity, as this will not only help in resolving criminal cases, but also generate ample employment avenues for the youth.
He directed the Chief Secretaries that they should be well-versed with the figures of crime in their respective states.
He said the Centre has adopted Zero tolerance policy against the Narcotics cases and each state should take firm steps to keep check on the smuggling of drugs, so that the youth could be saved from the drug menace.
He lauded the initiatives taken by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in this direction and said that his Punjab counterpart Capt Amarinder Singh has also convened a meeting, to resolve the issue thereafter.

While expressing concerns over the child abuse cases and sexual offences, he said that despite strict laws, the accused in such cases are not convicted, even after six months of crime. Therefore, all the states should appoint the Director Public Prosecutions, to assure speedy execution of such cases, he directed.

Mr Shah asked the states to ensure opening of a bank branch at a distance of every five kms so that the beneficiaries of Direct Benefit Transfer scheme could get the funds deposited directly into their bank accounts.
He urged the Chief Ministers to take up this issue in the State-level bankers committee meetings and also provide them the list of those villages where the bank branches are to be opened.

While congratulating Haryana government for the successful organization of the meeting of the Northern Zonal Council, he said that besides the pending issues, several new issues have also been discussed in the meeting.
It was also decided that the next meeting of the Northern Zonal Council would be held in Jaipur.

Chief Secretary Keshni Anand Arora thanked the Union Minister of Home Affairs for his able guidance and assured that the directions given by him during the meeting would be followed in letter and spirit.
Those present in the meeting, included Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Satya Pal Malik, Punjab Governor and Administrator of UT Chandigarh VP Singh Badnore, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, Lt Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal, Haryana Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu, Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister OP Dhankar and Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishan Kumar.
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