CM KCR opposes changes to AIS rules, writes to PM Modi

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, strongly opposing the proposed amendments to the All India Service (Cadre) Rules, 1954. He argued that the proposed amendments militate against the federal structure of the Constitution of India, both in letter and spirit as well as erode the All-India Service […]

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, strongly opposing the proposed amendments to the All India Service (Cadre) Rules, 1954. He argued that the proposed amendments militate against the federal structure of the Constitution of India, both in letter and spirit as well as erode the All-India Service (AIS) character of the IAS, IPS and IFS. He demanded that the Centre cease and desist from the proposed amendments in the interest of administrative fairness and federal polity of the Constitution.

In his letter, the Chief Minister said the present rule position and practice provides for concurrence of State governments in matter of deputation of officers to the Central government. He contended that the proposed amendment seeks to unilaterally disturb this, with the Centre assuming the power to take officers on deputation without concurrence of the officers or the State government concerned. “This is a dangerous move which is against the Constitutional framework and spirit of cooperative federalism. If the proposed amendments are effected by the union government, the State governments would be reduced to be insignificant entities,” he pointed out.

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Further, he stated that the proposal was clearly a move to exercise indirect control by the Centre on officers working in the States which amounts to interfering in the functioning of the State governments, targeted harassment of officers and their demoralisation, besides impacting accountability of officers to the State governments. It would also render State governments as helpless entities in matters of AIS officers.

Chandrashekhar Rao strongly objected to the coloured exercise of powers vested with the the union government to amend the AIS Cadre Rules 1954 to the detriment of the interest of the State and watering down the federal polity of the country. He argued that the proposed amendment was nothing but amending Constitution of India relating to the Centre-State relations. Instead of such backdoor method of amending the AIS Rules, he dared the Centre to muster courage to amend the provisions by the Parliament.

“The makers of the Constitution had the foresight to ensure that the States’ views are taken if any Constitutional amendment is proposed, which affects the interests of the States (Article 368(2)). However, by this proposed amendment to AIS Cadre Rules 1954, the Government of India is violating the spirit of the Constitution, which is highly objectionable,” he asserted.

Highlighting that the proposal shows scant regard to the administrative exigencies and requirements of the States, the Chief Minister said they threaten the spirit of mutual adjustment and accommodation between States and Central governments in the matter of shared All-India Services and “will further strain the Centre-State relationship”. He felt that the present provisions of AIS Cadre Rules are adequate to ensure harmonious and balanced deployment of officers.