The Union government and some state governments (mainly the opposition-ruled states) have once again locked horns, this time on the issue of amendments to the All India Services deputation rules. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led union government has proposed certain amendments to the deputation rules which are not acceptable to the mentioned states.
Citing scarcity of officers, the Union government wants to have the last word on deciding central government deputation of officers of IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service. All the BJP-ruled states have agreed to this proposition while the opposition-ruled state governments are not convinced and say that it will disturb the federal nature of the Constitution.
Like the state governments, some of the retired officers of the All-India Services are also divided on the issue. Some are fully supporting the proposed amendments while some have their reservations on the intentions behind the proposals. Indian Masterminds talked to a few retired officers to know their views on the issue to have a broader perspective on the ongoing tussle.
CENTER FACING GENUINE PROBLEM
Retired IPS officer, Mr. Prakash Singh does not find the proposed amendments problematic as he feels the Central government’s problem is genuine.
“According to the Union government, they are facing difficulties to appoint officers at the Center, as states are not releasing their quota of central deputation reserve. So, they want to amend the rules which will not only apply to administrative services but also to police and forest services. I am with them as the problem is genuine. Whether it is CRPF, IB, CBI or additional secretary level officers at the Centre, the vacancies are huge. 34 out of 36 posts in CRPF are lying vacant and condition is similar in other departments. They are demanding that states should release their quota of reserve in the right time frame. I don’t find this problematic.”
At the same time, however, the officer also mentioned that he is not very sure about the real intentions of the Union government when they say that they want to call officer by name for deputation in public interest. There are various examples in the past which raised questions on it. In some cases, this can be used against the officers and the bureaucracy will no longer be transparent.
The retired DGP also emphasized that some officers don’t want to go on central deputation for fear of being exposed for what they are, or else, they have vested interests in their cadre. This should also be looked upon while amending the rules.
SMELLING A RAT
Retired IAS officer, Mr. Anil Swarup, is not convinced with the proposals of the central government. He said, “Centre’s new-found love for All India Services is baffling. Not very long ago, they were being ridiculed and called names in Parliament. The positions, hitherto, being occupied by AIS officers were being handed over to others. No wonder states smell a rat in the amendment to the rules.”
OFFICERS’ NEEDS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED
The ex- Secretary to the Govt of India Mr. Rohit Nandan is of the opinion that it is too early to understand the haste with which the proposed changes are sought to be implemented. One should wait for the state elections of the five states to be completed, to make the exercise purposeful.
“There are three parties in this exercise – Centre, states and individual officers. Unfortunately, no one is talking about the rights of the officers who are going to be affected most by these changes. They might be reduced to the status of mere pawns in a possible situation of Centre-state dispute. I feel that IAS Associations of the states must formulate their opinion on the matter and present it to the respective states and the Centre for a holistic decision on a matter which would affect their career and family,” said the former IAS. Mr. Nandan also served as the Chairman and Managing Director, Air India.
Ex- IAS officer, Mr. Alok Ranjan (1978, UP), also have similar views. He said, “There is a scarcity of officers because either the officers are not willing to go, or the states are not forwarding their names. I believe this should be a process of consultation between the governments. The willingness of officers should be taken into account, and if the officers are not opting for central deputation, the central government should analyze why.”
START DIALOGUE TO END CRISIS
Another retired IAS officer who did not wished to be named said that if one is in All India Services, then he or she must serve on both the Centre and state levels. According to her, serving in states is important for gaining grassroot experiences while serving at the Centre helps broadening the vision and one also contributes to policy making. There are specific cadre rules for transparent rotation of officers but due to lack of dialogue and coordination, the tussle has arisen.
“There is truth in what both the parties are saying – that they have shortage of officers – as the biggest batch with 160 IAS was in 1985 and after that, not even 100 IAS are recruited every year. Centre and state governments should get into a dialogue and sort out their need. They must rationalize the disturbance that has arisen among them. And, if needed, they should either increase the number or take some other step,” she said.
