The Centre has written to the Bengal government, asking if it will release seven state-cadre IAS officers who were already empanelled for senior positions in Delhi.

But the Mamata Banerjee government has not sent any reply, which, sources have said, is an indication that there is no possibility of the state’s nod for their central assignments.

“Two letters reached Nabanna recently, one seeking the release of two IAS officers and the other five. The seven are of 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989 batches. The letters asked the state whether the seven officials could be released for central deputation as they had already been empanelled. The government has not replied,” said a bureaucrat.

“This means, the chief minister is firm on her stand of not releasing state cadre officers for central postings,” he added.

According to rules, state cadre officers need no objection certificates (NoCs) from respective state governments once they are empanelled for central responsibilities. Empanelment means an officer is short-listed by the Union cabinet’s appointment committee for a posting with the central government.

Sources said the state’s reluctance to release the seven officers for central deputation could hurt Bengal many ways in near future. “Bengal will have advantages if more IAS officers from the state are posted in Delhi when it comes to clearance of projects, release of funds and advance information on upcoming schemes,” said a source.

Bengal has just eight officers posted in Delhi these days. Among major states, Bengal has least number of IAS officers on central deputation, the sources said.

The state’s decision to hold back all of its officers could demoralise them as IAS cadres consider central deputation as a career advancement. “This is bad for the state administration as it needs alert and energetic officers to carry forward development projects and schemes,” said an IAS officer.

Given the actual strength of IAS officers, which is 250-odd these days, Bengal can send about 50 of them for central deputation.

The picture was much better in 2010, when over 40 Bengal cadre IAS officers were serving for the Centre even though the state’s total strength was 190-odd, said an official.