Panaji, September 5: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah will visit Goa on September 7 to chair the 28th meeting of the Western Zonal Council and present the prestigious President’s Colour to the Goa Police.

The Western Zonal Council meeting, scheduled to begin at 11 am, will bring together senior leaders and officials from the western region to discuss issues concerning inter-state coordination, cooperative governance and sharing of best practices.

The meeting will also feature presentations by the Inter-State Council Secretariat as well as delegations representing the participating States and Union Territory.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Praful Patel are among the senior dignitaries expected to participate.

Later in the day, Shah will present the President’s Colour to the Goa Police at a ceremonial parade scheduled for 2 pm at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium on Goa University Road, Taleigao.

The President’s Colour is among the highest honours bestowed upon a police force and recognises distinguished service, courage, commitment and professionalism.

The ceremony will include an Alankaran Parade and the ceremonial presentation of the Nishan. A multi-faith blessing will also be conducted by four religious leaders representing the Hindu, Christian, Muslim and Sikh faiths.

A medal ceremony will follow, after which Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant will address the gathering. The programme will conclude with a vote of thanks by the Inspector General of Police, Goa.

Union Minister of State Shripad Yesso Naik, the Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker, Cabinet ministers, MLAs, the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and other senior administrative and police officials are also expected to attend the programme.

Shah’s visit assumes significance as it combines a key regional coordination meeting involving western States with a landmark recognition for the Goa Police.