• The Centre has proposed amendments to the IAS (Cadre) Rules in order to exercise greater control in central deputation of IAS officials.
• The officers of the IAS are under the dual control of the state governments to which they belong and the central government which is their appointing authority.
• But there has been a gradual decline in the number of officers who opt for central deputation.
• Due to the overall shortage, most states are unwilling to release IAS officers for Central deputation.
• This proposed amendment created a strife between the Centre and the states.

Meaning of Central Deputation

• The IAS officers work for the central government on “deputation” from their respective State cadre.
• They are to provide a measure of administrative unity in our diverse and plural society.
• Thus, they are mandated to serve the state cadre and the central government.
• They are allowed to take up the Central deputation voluntarily, whose names are sent to the centre by the respective states.
  • There is an inbuilt provision to keep a certain number of posts for meeting the needs of the Centre.
  • Each state has a certain quota beyond which its officers are not accepted by the Centre.

Challenges

• Generally, about 25 to 30 per cent of the total cadre strength of the states used to be officers on central deputation.
• At present less than 10 percent officers are working in various central ministries.
• The reasons for this non-availability of officers for central deputation are inadequate recruitment of officers and better service conditions in the states.
• Non-availability of sufficient number of officers at the Centre is affecting the functioning of the central government

• The states fear the overreaching power of the Centre in sending the officers for deputation.
• Earlier, the Centre had no role in deciding an officer for deputation.
• The states prepare the list of officers to be sent for central deputation
• The Centre can now exercise power by demanding an officer.
  • But it may be counterproductive to effective cadre management.
• Arbitrary and sudden transfers of officers from the states to the Centre can be highly disruptive, undermining governance in the state.

• The IAS Officers choosing deputation have concerns about the family life especially regarding education of their children.
• There is also an issue of added expenditure with respect to transport and the higher cost of living in Delhi.

Road ahead

• The Centre should work on improving the working conditions for officers at the deputy secretary and director level.
• It can incorporate a deputation allowance for the period of deputation in Delhi.
• It should ensure that the family lives of officers go undisrupted during the period of deputation.
  • For example, education of the children could be assured by ensuring admission in schools like Sanskriti and other reputed institutions.

• Initiating a process of consultation with the states, including the officers.
  • It should be well-advised, without undermining the authority an efficiency of the states and causing undue distress to the officers.
• The states also have to look at this issue in a non-adversarial manner.
  • The shortage should be meted out by an equitable sharing between the Centre and the states.