Lucknow (25.01.2022): On the issue of amending the service rules with regard to the deputation of officers of the IAS cadre and other all India services, the UP IAS Association has maintained a studied silence. Its silence is in contrast to the organisation, in the past, having been vocal on issues concerning the IAS cadre.

The silence of the UP IAS Association on the issue of the proposed amendment to Rule 6 providing for deputation of the IAS officers to the Centre may be an outcome of state government’s apparent support to the move. However, amid the UP IAS Association’s silence, IAS officers (both serving and retired) are voicing their concern on the issue though opinions are divided.

The Union government will be able to take away key officers of the opposition ruled states at any point of time if the Centre is given a free hand. Officers are of the view that a middle path should instead be followed by making the consent of the officer concerned mandatory for going on deputation to the Centre. As principal secretary/additional chief secretary to the chief minister and chief secretary of the state usually do not apply for deputation to the Centre, the Union government will not be able to remove them without the consent of the officers.

Many states are not sending the appropriate number of IAS officers to the Centre and are not giving good postings to them in the state too. This should be taken into account. There is no reason for the Centre to go for this amendment. A provision is already in the service rules that provide for the Centre’s opinion to prevail in case of difference between the Centre and the states. There is no need for the Centre to indulge in a game of political one-upmanship on the issue.

The chief ministers of West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana and Rajasthan have strongly opposed the move and voiced their concern in separate letters sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him not to go for the amendment.