The Rope Of Federalism And An Unwanted Tug-Of-War

Context: The Centre-West Bengal controversy on the conduct of Bengal’s former Chief Secretary, Alapan Bandyopadhyay, in the final days of his tenure in May, has thrown up several political and administrative issues that deserve our attention for the future health of our federal polity.

Background

• The meeting that became a flashpoint was the one called by the Prime Minister on May 28 to review cyclone relief work in connection with cyclone Yaas in West Bengal.
• The allegation is that Mr Bandyopadhyay reached the meeting late and then left abruptly along with West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, to visit the cyclone-affected areas in her State.

Critical analysis of the relationship between IAS and Indian Federal nature

• Central’s direction not extended to meetings: While there are matters enunciated in our Constitution, where the Centre’s decisions have primacy over those of the State governments, but this does not extend to the holding of meetings, even if these are called by the Prime Minister.
  • India is a ‘union of states, and in this union, the State governments are not subordinate agencies of the central government.
• In relation to Disaster Management: While over time, the States have conceded space to the Centre for disaster management for getting financial, technical and logistical support.
  • Even then, the comprehensive framework under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 operates mainly at the State, district and local levels.
• Presence of cadres: While the IAS officers are recruited by the Union Public Service Commission and formally appointed by the President of India.
  • But they are ultimately borne in State cadres which makes them subject to the control of the respective State governments as well, especially when they are in the employ­.

Conclusion:

• Mr Bandyopadhyay listened to his boss; this is what it should be when IAS officers work for a State government or any other government; otherwise, there will be chaos and indiscipline in administration.
• It needs to be remembered that the All­India Services, which includes the IAS, were conceived by the makers of our Constitution to provide uniformity and high standards of public service in both the Centre and the States and to provide a measure of administrative unity in our diverse and plural society.