It is no exaggeration to say that Indian government officials play a major role in the formulation and implementation of policy for the welfare of the people, even if they are formulated by the ruling political leaders – the people’s representatives.
These officials are the ones who exercise the monarchy no matter which political party comes to power as Indra does not change even if Indra changes. Some are even responsible for the successes and failures of many governments.
If an IAS or IPS officer does not serve properly, not only the rulers but also the people will be greatly affected. IAS and IPS officers are expected to be the ones who will not hesitate to work for the people any day, any time; Are.
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In this regard, a reminder letter was sent to all the State Governments on January 12 last on behalf of the Central Personnel and Training Department. In the letter, it was stated that the views of the State Governments on the Bill amending Rule 6 of the Indian Civil Service Act 1954 should be submitted by January 25.
What correction?
As per present – Government of India 1954, Rule No. 6, those who pass the Indian Civil Service Examination will be sent separately to each State by the Central Personnel and Training Department. Subsequently, they will become the officials of that state. Tamil Nadu cadre and Andhra cadre. Thereafter, if IAS officers are required for the duties of the Central Government, the State Governments and the particular IAS officer may, at their discretion, withdraw one of them for the duties of the Central Government.
In this context, the new legislation provides for the recall of IAS officers to central duties without the consent of the State Government or any particular authority.
Interpretation of the Central Government
Commenting on the new amendment, the central government said, “State governments are not cooperating by sending the necessary officials to the central government. It is defined that 40 per cent of the total number of Indian civil servants will be in Central service and 60 per cent in State service. However, in 2014, 25 per cent of the officers were in the central service, but now only 18 per cent. As a result, the work of the central government has stagnated.
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Of the 248 IAS officers in Bihar, only 32 are on central duty, according to Central Personnel and Training Department data. Odisha has 25 out of 180, Kerala has 12 out of 124, Tamil Nadu has 32 out of 322 and Uttar Pradesh has 32 out of 536 central employees.
Why do state governments oppose it?
Under the new scheme, the IAS and IPS officers can be invited by the Central Government to their work at any time (they can pick up the ones they want and decorate, they can invite the ones they don’t want!).
The central government will only introduce projects. But it is the state governments that are implementing the plans of the central government and the plans of the state government. In implementing these plans, state governments depend on everyone from chief secretaries to district governors.
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Unless the officers who are best implementing these schemes among the people or the officers who are engaged in field work with the government to protect the people in times of epidemics like Corona are suddenly released from the state government and transferred to the central government, the whole task will come to a standstill. Thus, only the people will be severely affected.
They also allege that the amendment would help the federal government to retaliate against officials who sometimes co-operate with state governments without cooperating with the federal government.
For example, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited West Bengal to inspect the impact of the Yas storm, then-Chief Secretary Alban Bandopadhyay, who did not attend the consultative meeting, was immediately recalled to central government service. It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who objected to this, appointed Alabama as her primary adviser.
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The chief ministers of Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Telangana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand have also registered their opposition, saying the new amendment is an act of usurpation of the rights of state governments and an act of oppression of the federal system.
None of the chief ministers of the BJP-ruling states and allied states have so far expressed any opposition to the amendment.
Apart from this, the fear, uncertainty, and IAS that the implementation of the plans of the states in the states against the central government or the close acquaintance with the rulers could lead to relocation. Will prevail among the authorities. Thus, the authorities will be under a lot of stress.
It will be known in a couple of days whether the amendment will be passed in Parliament or dropped without being tabled, despite opposition from state governments.