The ongoing controversy involving All India Services (AIS) officers challenging the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) once again highlights a troubling trend of bureaucratic insubordination and vested interests. A few senior officers, including a Director-General of Police (DGP), have decided to move court after being reprimanded by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). This brazen defiance exposes not just their reluctance to serve where they are assigned, but also a deeper rot in the system that requires immediate corrective measures. To understand the gravity of the issue, one must recall the events following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014. Several officers, including the then Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, dragged their feet when it came to being allocated to the newly formed Telangana. Rather than performing the duty for which they were selected, they engaged in legal battles, further complicating an already chaotic situation. Somesh Kumar, in particular, symbolized this institutional decay. After losing his legal battle, he was forced into retirement, but not before compromising his integrity by reportedly becoming a pawn in the hands of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leadership led by K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR). Kumar’s case is an example of how civil servants, initially appointed as guardians of the public good, can morph into tools of political manipulation. Allegations abound that he, along with other officers, facilitated the looting of the state exchequer under KCR’s government, if one has to believe media reports. These officers, instead of maintaining their neutrality and working for the public interest, reportedly became “more loyal than the king,” aiding and abetting the ruling party’s agenda. Despite these serious allegations, the current Congress government in Telangana, led by A. Revanth Reddy, seems to have conveniently forgotten its electoral promise of cleaning up the administration. Reddy, once vociferous in his opposition to the corrupt practices of the BRS regime, now appears content to let these tainted officers continue in their positions, raising serious doubts about his commitment to transparency.
Against this backdrop, the recent challenge by four officers resisting their reassignment to Andhra Pradesh is not just an administrative issue—it’s symptomatic of a larger problem. All India Service officers are selected for their supposed willingness to serve the nation wherever required. While the initial allocation may be made based on personal preferences, their duty is to serve the country, not to remain tied to a specific location for personal or political gain. The AIS, whether comprising IAS, IPS, or IFS officers, was created to ensure that these civil servants remain national assets, capable of serving in any state, under any government. The judiciary, to its credit, has generally been fair in handling such disputes. The CAT ruling against these officers and the earlier verdict in the Somesh Kumar case are clear examples of the courts upholding the principle that these officers must adhere to their duties. However, the fact that such disputes continue to arise suggests that the existing mechanisms are inadequate to curb these officers’ attempts to evade responsibility. It’s time the central government re-evaluates the rules governing the transfer and allocation of AIS officers. One possible solution is to adopt a more rigid system akin to the armed forces, where officers serve where they are assigned without exception. This would ensure that no officer can develop vested interests in a particular state, align with political factions, or become entrenched in local power structures. The DoPT must also be empowered to resolve disputes swiftly and transparently, ensuring that officers cannot use the legal system to delay or derail their transfers. In conclusion, the recent actions of these officers are a stark reminder of the pressing need for reform in India’s civil services. The AIS was designed to serve the country, not personal interests or political agendas. If the government fails to act decisively now, the credibility and effectiveness of the All-India Services may be irreparably damaged. It’s time to crack the whip and restore integrity to the system before it’s too late.
