Combative federalism

Proposed IAS rule change weakens Centre-state relations

The proposal to change Indian Administrative Service (IAS) cadre rules raises a red flag over Centre-state relations that are already in a state of disrepair. So it was only to be expected that the Department of Personnel and Training’s (DoPT’s) letter to state chief secretaries suggesting a change has created a furore, not least because of its 12-day deadline for states to respond, especially when five of them are headed for Assembly elections. It is significant, however, that both Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states and those ruled by other parties have registered their protests, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee