Jharkhand Chief Minister Heman Soren and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about their reservations to the amendments made by the Centre to Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) Rules, ANI reported.
Both the ministers said that the amendments were against the spirit of “cooperative federalism”.
Earlier in January, the Union Personnel Ministry amended existing service rules, purportedly to ensure that enough IAS officers are available for central deputation. In case there is a dispute between the Centre and a state over the deputations, the Centre’s say is final.
On January 12, the Centre further amended the rules through another proposal. It states that if the Centre seeks an officer “in specific situations” and “in public interest”, the state should give its decision on time. If the state administration fails, the officer will be relieved from cadre when the Centre specifies.
Soren on Saturday called the amendment “draconian” and requested the government to “bury it” at an earlier stage, according to ANI.
He added that the state administration was suffering from an acute shortage of officers as many of them were holding more than one charge.
“Forced removal of officers from this stressed pool will make it extremely difficult for the state government to discharge its duties as are expected to be performed by any popularly elected government,” he said. “Sudden deputation of an officer outside his cadre will certainly cause immense disturbance to the officer and his family.”
Soren added that the amendments appeared to be an attempt to indirectly control the officers functioning in the state.
Meanwhile, Soren’s Rajasthan counterpart, Ghelot, on Friday said that the changes will “violate the constitutional jurisdiction prescribed for the Central and State Governments”.
Over the last week, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Modi twice, asking him to withdraw the amendment, which she has called “draconian”.
Banerjee had said that the government was resorting to “over-centralisation of powers” and had added that such amendments could be misused by political parties.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!