Non-BJP chief ministers write to PM Modi, urge him to drop proposed amendments to IAS cadre rules

It should be noted that the Centre has proposed an amendment to the IAS (Cadre) Rules, 1954, which would enable it to post IAS officers on central deputation, bypassing reservations of state governments.

NewsBharati    24-Jan-2022 10:48:33 AM
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New Delhi, Jan 24: In a major development, several non-BJP chief ministers including, Mamata Banerjee and M.K Stalin, have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing the Centre's proposal to amend the IAS (Cadre) Rules, 1954. In the letter to PM Modi, the chief ministers of West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala have urged the PM to roll back the decision.
 
PM Modi
 
It should be noted that the Centre has proposed an amendment to the IAS (Cadre) Rules, 1954, which would enable it to post IAS officers on central deputation, bypassing reservations of state governments.
 
The government has stated that the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers cannot always be posted in states since it is inefficient for both the service and the officers. It has been said that working with the Central government provides them with a unique viewpoint for the personal development of officers after serving in the states and then returning to the Centre.
 
Opposing to that decision, the chief ministers in their letter have argued the proposed change in rules for central deputation of IAS officers will adversely affect the states' administration. They say that the power proposed to be usurped by the Central government by resorting to over-centralisation of powers is going to destroy the morale and freedom of the All-India Service officers.
 
 
 
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has written two letters in this regard and the second one, she says, "I find the revised amendment proposal more draconian than the former, and indeed its very grain is against the foundations of our great federal polity and the basic structure of India's Constitutional scheme."
 
"The moot point of the further revised draft amendment proposal is that an officer, whom the Central government may choose to take out of a state to any part of the country without taking his/her consent and without the agreement of the state government under whom he or she is serving, may now stand released from his/her current assignment forthwith," she adds.
 
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren wrote, "They promote 'unilateralism' rather than 'cooperative federalism'. I hope he will consider my request and bury the proposal at this stage itself." While Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel have also written letters to the Prime Minister opposing the move.
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala CMs too have urged the PM to roll back the proposed changes to the IAS (Cadre) Rules.
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