Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticized the decision to soon appoint 45 experts through lateral entry to key positions of Joint Secretaries, Directors, and Deputy Secretaries in various central ministries. He condemned this move, stating that through lateral entry, the reservation for SC, ST, and OBC categories is being blatantly robbed.
In a post on social media platform X, Gandhi called it a decision that harms both the administrative framework and social justice, asserting that this anti-national step will be strongly opposed by INDIA. Earlier, SP Supremo Akhilesh Yadav and BSP Chief Mayawati had also labeled the ruling BJP's actions as arbitrary and unconstitutional.
Rahul Gandhi's Post
Rahul Gandhi wrote, 'Narendra Modi is attacking the constitution by recruiting public servants through the RSS instead of the Union Public Service Commission. By recruiting for key positions in various central ministries through lateral entry, the reservation for SC, ST, and OBC categories is being openly stolen. I have always said that the top positions in the country, including the top bureaucracy, lack representation of the deprived. Instead of correcting this, they are being pushed further away from these top positions through lateral entry. This is an attack on the rights of talented youth preparing for UPSC and on the concept of social justice, including reservation for the deprived.'
Gandhi further wrote, ‘A glaring example of what representatives from a few corporates will do in key government positions is SEBI, where for the first time, someone from the private sector is made the chairperson. This anti-national step, which harms both the administrative framework and social justice, will be strongly opposed by INDIA. Privatization of IAS is Modi's guarantee to end reservations.'
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Lalu Yadav's Post
Lalu Prasad Yadav also opposed the lateral recruitment, writing, 'With the advice of Narendra Modi and his allied parties, the Union Public Service Commission has issued an advertisement for direct recruitment of Joint Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, and Directors from the private sector, flouting the constitution and reservation proposed by Baba Saheb. No government employee can apply for this. There is no constitutional reservation in this recruitment.'
He wrote further, 'This 'Nagpur model' of placing BJP's private army, the ones in khaki shorts, directly into top positions in central ministries will not benefit Dalits, backward classes, and tribals in any reservation. NDA's people are plundering the rights of the deprived.'
SP and BSP Also Oppose
Meanwhile, SP head and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav warned of protests against this decision from October 2. He wrote on social media platform X, ‘The BJP, which is plotting to place its ideological comrades into high government positions in UPSC through the back door, will now face a nationwide movement against it.'
He claimed that this method would block the path for today’s officials and youth in achieving high positions in the present and future. SP Chief also indicated that the BJP knows that the country's 'PDA' is waking up to their conspiracy to destroy the constitution, so they are appointing people directly to these positions to deny reservation through other excuses.
BSP Chief and former Chief Minister Mayawati also criticized the decision, writing on X, ‘The decision to directly recruit for 45 high positions of Joint Secretaries, Directors, and Deputy Secretaries in the center is not correct, as it will deprive the employees working in lower positions of their promotional benefits through direct recruitment.’ She called these direct appointments at high positions arbitrary and unconstitutional by the BJP government.
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UPSC Advertised the Posts
It should be noted that soon 45 experts are to be appointed to key positions of Joint Secretaries, Directors, and Deputy Secretaries in various central ministries. Typically, such positions are held by officers from All India Services – Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Forest Service (IFS) – and other 'Group A' services.
On Saturday, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) advertised 45 positions, including 10 Joint Secretaries and 35 Director/Deputy Secretary posts, to be filled through lateral entry on a contractual basis. The advertisement stated, ‘The Government of India wants to appoint officers at the level of Joint Secretary and Director/Deputy Secretary through lateral entry. Aspiring talented Indian citizens are invited to apply online for inclusion at the level of Joint Secretary or Director/Deputy Secretary to contribute to nation-building.'
What is Lateral Entry?
Through lateral entry, UPSC directly recruits candidates to Joint Secretary and Director/Deputy Secretary positions in various ministries, departments, and organizations of the Government of India. Generally, an officer becomes a Joint Secretary after clearing the UPSC CSE IAS exam and completing a long tenure, but with lateral entry, candidates can directly assume this position without any exam. It presents a great chance for experts from the private sector.
When did it Start?
In July 2017, the government considered the provision of appointing experienced high officials from the private sector to positions of Deputy Secretary, Director, and Joint Secretary in various departments through lateral entry, an alternative to recruitment through the prestigious civil services exam. About a year later, the central government issued a notification, inviting applications for Joint Secretary positions in ten departments through lateral entry.
Why did the Government need such Recruitments?
Globalization significantly complicated the government's work, increasing the need for expertise and skill in this area more than ever before. The requirement for think tanks in sectors like the economy and infrastructure, along with other departments where specialized services are needed, prompted such recruitment.
