The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 22nd January, 2022 | Current Affairs: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - CLAT PDF Download

1. Wrong Remedy: States have Rightly Raised Questions about Proposed Rule Changes on IAS, IPS Deputation

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GS 2- Issues & challenges pertaining to the federal structure

Context: Union government’s (Department of Personnel & Training – DoPT) proposals to amend Rule 6 related to deputation of cadre officers of the IAS (Cadre) Rules 1954.

Reasons Behind Such a Step

• CDR obligations: The total strength of any cadre is calculated by including central deputation reserve (CDR), which is around 40% of the sanctioned posts. However, the CDR utilisation has gone down from 25% in 2011 to 18% presently.
  • In spite of increase of IAS officers at Deputy Secretary/Director level in IAS from 621 in 2014 to 1130 in 2021, the number of such officers on central deputation has gone down from 117 to 114 during the period.
  • A trend of decreasing representation of IAS officers up to joint-secretary level has been noticed as most of the States are not meeting their CDR obligations and the number of officers sponsored by the States to serve the Union government are much less than the reserve.
  • Often Union government requires specific officers for itself:
  • Services of an AIS officer with a specific domain expertise may be required for any important time-bound flagship programme or project, or situation such as a major disaster or national security.
  • The extant Cadre Rules do not have specific provisions to cater to such situations, which have now been proposed through these amendments.
  • AIS officers are recruited by the Union Government and their services are placed under various State Cadres, and it is incumbent upon the members of service to serve both under the State and the Centre.
• Deputation from States to the Union government has been uneven. Some States have not nominated officers for deputation adequately to work with the Union government; In this certain states stand out.
  • West Bengal (11 out of the 280 officers are on central deputation),
  • Rajasthan (13 out of 247) and
  • Telangana (7 out of an authorised strength of 208).
  • This has led to vacancies across Union government ministries. 

But does this necessitate the rule changes proposed by the DoPT, which include acquiring overriding powers for the Union government that will do away with seeking approval from the States for transferring IAS and IPS officers?

• Two of the Rules are Particularly Problematic —
  • In case of any disagreement between the Union and State governments, the States shall give effect to the former’s decision “within a specified time”.
  • And in some “specific situations”, States would have to depute certain cadres whose services are sought by the Union government.
• These changes amount to arm-twisting States and unwilling bureaucrats to be deputed to serve the Union government and also presenting a fait accompli to States for “specific situations” which have not been defined and prone to misinterpretation and politicisation.
• These proposed changes have unsurprisingly raised the hackles of State governments. As governance responsibilities during the pandemic have shown, States are quite dependent upon the bureaucracy, and deputation to the Union government should not be done at the cost of State requirements.

Way Forward

• The Union government must address the key question of the reluctance of capable civil servants to be deputed away from the States.
• Reports have indicated that civil servants have found the top-down culture in Union government offices to be stifling and prefer the relative autonomy at the State level.
• There is clearly a need for a more qualitative approach that tackles such work culture issues.
• The strength problem must be addressed: Allowing officers to be deputed at centre disincentivises those States which depute officers much below the mandated numbers to the Union government by adjusting future cadre strength reviews by the UPSC should also address the shortage problem.
  • Therefore, more recruitments become necessary.
• These steps are better than any rule changes that amount to fiats striking at federalism.

Conclusion
That the wrong remedy could exacerbate an ailment and not cure it is a well understood adage.

2. Sail for a Powerful India-German Partnership: The Indo-Pacific, with India as its Centrepiece, Features Prominently in Germany’s Foreign Policy Outreach

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GS 2- IR

Context: These are the views of Walter J. Lindner, the Ambassador of The Federal Republic of Germany to India, on the prospects of Indo-German relations.

• German Navy frigate Bayern landed in Mumbai on Thursday, January 20, 2022. A port call which might be business as usual for India with regard to many other friendly countries is, on close inspection, a remarkable step for Indo-German relations.
• It is significant because a military vehicle generally do not dock on the ports of other countries.
• This is first German port call in India. Our troops undertook a joint passing exercise — a strong and warm Indian welcome for Germany to the region.
• The Bayern’s seven-month journey in the region is coming full circle in India after having visited Japan, Australia, Vietnam, Singapore and other countries in the region, Mumbai is the last station before the Bayern sets course to return to Germany.  This shows the importance that Germany holds for India.

Interests of Germany on the World stage in Context of India

• The setting of a new order: Germany has realised that the world’s political & economic centre of gravity is shifting to the Indo-Pacific region, with India as a key player, strategic partner and long-standing democratic friend at the hub. Here is where a significant part of the future international order is being shaped.
• Change in Policy according to this shift: This is a concrete outcome of the Indo-Pacific Policy Guidelines that Germany adopted in 2020 and the European Union’s Indo-Pacific Strategy published in 2021. 
• Rule-based international order: Germany is determined to contribute to buttressing the rules-based international order at a time when it is exposed to grave challenges. For Europe, just like for India, it is vital that trade routes stay open, that freedom of navigation is upheld and that disputes are resolved peacefully on the basis of international law.
• Germany is a trading nation too: As much as India, Germany is a trading nation. More than 20% of German trade is conducted in the Indo-Pacific neighbourhood. This is why Germany and India share a responsibility to maintain and support stability, prosperity and freedom in this part of the world. Europe’s key interests are at stake when championing a free and open Indo-Pacific.
• India is a maritime powerhouse and a strong advocate for free and inclusive trade — and, therefore, a primary partner on that mission.
• Importance of the Indo-Pacific region: It is home to around 65% of the global population and 20 of the world’s 33 megacities. The region accounts for 62% of global GDP and 46% of the world’s merchandise trade.
• No global problem can be solved without India’s active involvement.
• A chance for coordination: This year, Germany will hold the G7 Presidency, and from December 2022, India will assume the same role for the G20. This is an opportunity for joint and coordinated action.

Solving the Challenges in  the Indo-Pacific

• Environmental issues: It is the source of more than half of all global carbon emissions. This makes the region’s countries key partners in tackling global challenges such as climate change and sustainable energy production and consumption.
  • India and Germany will step up their cooperation to tackle common challenges, with climate change on top of the agenda.
• Investment cooperation: Germany cooperates with India to the tune of €1.3 billion a year in development projects, 90% of which serves the purpose of fighting climate change, saving natural resources as well as promoting clean and green energy. No country receives more such support from Germany than India.
  • What world leaders agreed upon at COP26 in Glasgow, Germany and India are putting into practice. Together we work on a sustainable path for India’s growth that will benefit both our countries.
  • For example, we have been supporting the construction of a huge solar plant in Maharashtra’s Dhule (Sakri). With a capacity of 125 Megawatt, it serves 2,20,000 households and generates annual CO2 savings of 155,000 tons.

Conclusion
As India celebrates 75 years of independence, this visit sends a signal of friendship and cooperation. We are setting sail for a powerful partnership, in calm waters and heavy seas alike. And hopefully, we will exceed your expectations, every once in a while.