The Center's initiative for lateral entry at the Joint Secretary level has undoubtedly caused some unrest both within and outside the bureaucracy. However, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) stated on Wednesday that lateral appointments would not negatively impact the morale of bureaucrats.
Minister of State at the PMO, Dr. Jitendra Singh, provided this information in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. The Center informed the Lok Sabha that this is not the first instance of lateral entry. Dr. Jitendra Singh cited former Prime Minister and senior Congress leader Dr. Manmohan Singh as an example of lateral appointment.
During V.P. Singh's tenure as Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh was appointed as an advisor on economic matters to the Prime Minister. In March 1991, Dr. Singh became the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Minister of State at the PMO, Dr. Jitendra Singh, provided this information in response to questions from TMC MPs Sajda Ahmed and Prasoon Banerjee regarding reforms in the bureaucracy. Apart from Dr. Manmohan Singh, several other individuals have also been appointed through lateral entry at various points in the past based on specific needs.
The names listed by the PMO include former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, former advisor to the Ministry of Finance Vijay Kelkar, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India Bimal Jalan, former Chief Economic Advisor Shankar Acharya, former Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India Rakesh Mohan, and former Economic Advisor Arvind Virmani.
made during the Modi government's tenure were also mentioned in the PMO's list. These include Arvind Panagariya, who recently stepped down as Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Special Secretary in the Ministry of AYUSH, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, former IAS officer Parameswaran Iyer who was made the head of the Swachh Bharat Mission, and Ram Vinay Shahi, who served as Secretary in the Ministry of Power.
Defending the lateral entry initiative, the Ministry, quoting the Prime Minister, said that in its three-year agenda from 2017-18 to 2019-20, the NITI Aayog highlighted the inclusion of experts into the system through lateral entry based on fixed-term contracts.
The report submitted by the Sectoral Group of Secretaries (SGoS) in February 2017 indicated a shortage of officers at the Joint Secretary/Director/Deputy Secretary level during the period from 1995-2002. Based on this report, the government initiated steps for the lateral appointment of ten Joint Secretaries to fill the gap. This serves two purposes: introducing fresh talent into the system and enhancing the availability of human resources.
The government has also clarified that several steps are being taken to reform the bureaucracy keeping in mind the principles of 'reform, performance, and transformation.'
During provisional appointments, while character verification by the police is pending, applicants are required to submit a self-declaration and attestation form.
According to the government, the aim of this exercise is to streamline the posting system at senior levels, prioritize integrity and merit, strengthen the appraisal system related to the performance of bureaucrats, enhance the vigilance system, amend the All India Services (Disciplinary and Appeal) Rules, among other reforms.
Additionally, reforms also include setting a time frame for completing inquiries against All India Service officers, introducing safeguards to prevent arbitrary suspensions, ending interviews for lower-level posts, and mandatory retirement for those deemed unfit and underperforming.
The Center has also clarified that it will operate an educational cadre at the Assistant/Associate/Professor level. This opportunity will be open to all who meet the eligibility criteria, regardless of current employment at a teaching institution. This will help address the shortage of professors.
