IAS Rules Amendment: Gehlot, Baghel Write To PM Modi, Say 'Change To Affect Cooperative Federalism'

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel have written to PM Modi, urging him not to go ahead with an amendment proposing a change in deputation rule for IAS officers.

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot (L) and Chhattigarh CM Bhupesh Bagehl (R) (Getty Images))

 New Delhi: The Centre's proposed amendments to service rules related to IAS officers on the ground have created a stir in the country and the chief ministers of opposition ruled states have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider their decision. After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee,  Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel have written to PM Modi, urging him not to go ahead with an amendment proposing a change in deputation rule for IAS officers.

What did Rajasthan CM Gehlot say to PM Modi?

Gehlot said in his letter that the amendment to Rule 6 of the Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) Rules, 1954, will enable the Union government call an officer on deputation without the consent of the officer concerned and the state government, according to a PTI report.

He said the proposed change is going to affect the spirit of cooperative federalism.

He further said that the decision will violate the constitutional jurisdiction prescribed for the central and state governments, and reduce the spirit of working fearlessly and faithfully, he said.

Quoting India's first home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Gehlot said, "If you want an efficient all-India service, I advise you that you give the services an opportunity to express themselves freely. If you are a service recipient, it will be your duty to allow your secretary or chief secretary or other services under you to express their opinion without fear or favour. Without it, you will not have Akhand Bharat."

What did Chhattishgarh CM Baghel write to PM Modi?

Raising similar concerns over the matter, Baghel urged the Prime  Minister to rethink the proposed amendments as they are against the spirit of cooperative federalism and if implemented may lead to "collapse" of administrative system of states.

In the letter to PM, Baghel said the amended rules may put officials posted in states in dilemma in discharging their duties and may lead to a situation of instability.

The Government of India has proposed amendments to the All India Services Rules and sought opinion from states in this regard. The proposed amendments would enable the Centre to unilaterally post the all India services officers on central deputation without getting consent of states and the concerned officer, which is against the federal spirit adopted and outlined in the Constitution, he said.

According to a PTI report, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) recently proposed changes in the Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) Rules, 1954, that will take away the power of states to override the Union government's request for seeking officers on central deputation.

I&B Secretary defends Centre's move to amend IAS Rules

However, the  Information and Broadcasting secretary Apurva Chandra on Friday defended the Centre's proposal to amend the IAS (Cadre) Rules, saying working with both -- the Centre and state governments -- not just broadens the perspective of officers but also serves the purpose of the all India services.

He said that the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers cannot always remain posted in the states as it does not work well either for the service or the officers.

"Working with the government of India gives you a very broad perspective. Serving in states and coming back to the government of India (departments/ministries) is essential for officers for (their) personal development. They will perform better even in states and in subsequent career in the government of India," Chandra told reporters when asked for his comments on the row over Centre's proposal to amend IAS (Cadre) Rules 1954, according to a PTI report.

"If you (IAS officers) remain in a state you develop a provincial mindset. Then, there is no difference between the state service officers and the IAS officer. what is the difference between a provincial service officer and an IAS officer if you remain in state, except that you get faster promotion?" he added.