This is the story of an IAS officer from the northern part of the country who has made a sort of  record by staying out of his cadre state for over 16 years and made an exception to the fact that the rule of law actually exists. Out of the total 24 years of service, the officer spent only seven years in his cadre state. An IAS officer from West Bengal cadre moved to his native state on inter-cadre deputation basis in 1997 and served in the state till 2002. Further, he repatriated for a very brief stint and served as DM and then again moved on central deputation in 2004 as OSD to Deputy Speaker Lok Sabha and didn't look back to serve in the state. After finishing his study leave (2005-2006), he grabbed the opportunity of becoming OSD to Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee who made an effort to get the officer's cadre changed to his native state but Department of Personnel & Training couldn't be convinced.  It may be noted that it was Vajpayee's regime at the center and DOPT observed that the case did not have merits and stood nowhere under the set of rules and provisions for change of cadre. But till then the officer moved to his native state again in 2007 on Inter cadre deputation basis. And since then he still serves in his native state making it all together 16 years long stay in the native state. Special provisions are for special people only.