The Union Government has informed the Madras High Court that the Tamil Nadu administration elevated seven senior IAS officers to the rank equivalent to Chief Secretary without obtaining the mandatory approval from the Centre. During proceedings before a Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan, the Central government stated that the promotions did not follow the prescribed procedure applicable to officers of the Indian Administrative Service, an All India Service governed by both state and central regulations.
Centre Flags Tamil Nadu Over Promotion of Seven IAS Officers
Representing the Union Government, Additional Solicitor General A.R.L. Sundaresan submitted that the Centre had taken note of the issue and would examine the matter in accordance with service rules. He indicated that appropriate administrative measures could be initiated irrespective of the outcome of the public interest litigation connected to the case.
The matter came up during the hearing of a petition questioning the legality of the promotions granted to officers belonging to the 1995 IAS batch. The petition sought judicial scrutiny of the State government’s decision and its compliance with existing service regulations.
The Centre maintained that approval from the competent authority is required before such promotions can be formally recognized. It argued that bypassing the approval process raises questions regarding procedural compliance and administrative oversight.
The development has added a new dimension to the ongoing legal and administrative debate surrounding appointments and promotions within the higher bureaucracy. The High Court is expected to continue examining the issues raised in the petition before deciding on the next course of action.
The case highlights the broader relationship between the Union and State governments in matters involving All India Service officers, where certain personnel decisions require coordination between both levels of administration.
