Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Modi slamming proposed changes in IAS cadre rules

Referring to her letter sent last week, Banerjee said the Centre has "accentuated its stand" and its revised draft is taking the matter to "non-federal extremes".

"I find the revised amendment proposal more draconian than the former," she wrote in the two-page letter, contending that its "very grain is against the foundations of our great federal polity". 

The Centre's proposal will allow it to transfer IAS and IPS officers through central deputation, scraping the rule of taking the states' approval.

Under the revised draft, the officer concerned "will stand released from his/her current assignment forthwith," Banerjee wrote.

The amendment, if made effective, will be like a "Damocles' sword" hanging over the officers and create a "fear psychosis" which will affect their "performance, effectiveness and accountability to the state government", she wrote. 

Pointing out that the adverse effects, when said the change will be "endemic, permanent and irreversible."

"Let us not forget that the proposed amendments are very much prone to be misused by the party in power at the Centre... governments and political parties come and go but to weaken this steel frame so immeasurably, indeed to reduce it to putty, dos not bode well for us in the 75th year of our Republic," Banerjee stated.