What is the row over lateral entry in government jobs
A row has erupted between the opposition and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Saturday announced recruitment to 45 posts through lateral entry. They include 10 joint secretaries and 35 directors/deputy secretaries in different central ministries as part of the Narendra Modi government's ambitious plan to bring in fresh talent to further improve ease of governance. Lateral entry refers to the appointment of private sector specialists in government departments.
Rahul Gandhi expresses concerns over lateral entry recruitment
Such positions are typically filled by officers from all-India services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Police Service (IPS), and the Indian Forest Service (IFoS), as well as Group A services. Following the announcement, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that PM Modi is appointing public servants through the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) instead of following the traditional UPSC route. "Narendra Modi is attacking the Constitution by recruiting public servants through 'Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh'," he wrote on X.
Gandhi warns of potential corporate influence in government appointments
Gandhi warned that lateral entry could undermine the reservation system and potentially infringe upon reservation rights of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs). He also raised concerns about potential corporate influence in government appointments. Gandhi cited the recent appointment of Madhabi Puri Buch, the chairperson of SEBI, who is linked to the Adani Group, as an example of corporate influence in government appointments.
Vaishnaw hits back at Gandhi
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has now hit back at the Congress, stating that it was the UPA government that introduced the concept of lateral entry. He pointed out that the second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was set up in 2005 under the UPA government, chaired by Veerappa Moily. This commission recommended recruiting experts to fill positions requiring specialized knowledge, a suggestion now being implemented by the NDA government through UPSC, he wrote on X.
Vaishnaw defends NDA's implementation of lateral entry recruitment
Vaishnaw defended the NDA government's approach to implementing the ARC's recommendation, asserting that recruitment is being conducted in a transparent and fair manner through UPSC. "The NDA government has created a transparent method to implement this recommendation. Recruitment will be done through UPSC in a transparent and fair manner," he said.
