‘Will induce fear’: Why states are opposing Govt’s proposed changes to IAS rules

Kerala and Tamil Nadu are the latest among 9 states that also include NDA-ruled states to join pushback to the centre's new plans for IAF transfers. While Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin in his letter to PM Narendra Modi claimed that the proposed changes strike at the very root of the nation's federal polity and state autonomy, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the move will create fear psychosis among civil service officials to implement the state government policies. The centre had by January 25 sought responses of the states to insert a provision in Rule 6 of IAS (Cadre) Rules, 1954, that gives the union government power to appoint and transfer IAS and Indian Police Service officers, overruling state governments. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was the first among the states to raise concerns. Calling centre's plan "draconian", she has so far shot off two letters to the Prime Minister asking him to not give a go ahead to centre's plan.