In a letter to PM Narendra Modi, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee wrote that the Centre’s proposed amendment is against the spirit of cooperative federalism.
In a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her ‘strong reservations’ against the amendment to the IAS (Cadre) Rules,1954.
She wrote that the approach followed by the Central government in proposing an amendment to the Cadre Rules to make the number of officers available for deputation as prescribed under the Central Deputation Reserve is something she has reservations against.
CM Mamata in her letter stated the proposed amendment is against the spirit of cooperative federalism and upsets the time-tested harmonious arrangement which has existed between the Centre and states in the matter of the posting of IAS-IPS officers.
The West Bengal CM wrote that the administration of states will be affected but also it would become ‘impossible to assess and plan the administration of a state by engaging such officers who form part of the Central Deputation Reserve, fraught with the uncertainty of their sudden deputation by the Centre’.She states that it will be detrimental to the spirit, confidence, and motivation level of officers who feature in the Central Deputation Reserve. She added that there is a shortage of civil servants in the state.
In the proposed amendment, a proviso is also sought to be inserted proposing that in case of a disagreement between the Central government and the state government, the matter shall be decided by the Central government. And the state government shall give effect to the decision of the Central government within a specific time. Such an amendment seems to make a permanent dent in the spirit of cooperative federalism,” wrote CM Banerjee.
