New Delhi, 20-08-2024: Union Minister Jitendra Singh has formally requested the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to cancel its recent advertisement for lateral entry into senior government positions. In a letter addressed to the UPSC Chairman, Mr. Singh emphasized the need for the lateral entry process to align with the principles of equity and social justice, as directed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly in regard to the provision of reservations.
The UPSC had recently issued an advertisement seeking “talented and motivated Indian nationals” for lateral recruitment to high-level positions such as Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Secretary across 24 ministries, offering a total of 45 positions. This advertisement has sparked a significant debate over the lateral entry process, particularly following Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the system.
संविधान और आरक्षण व्यवस्था की हम हर कीमत पर रक्षा करेंगे।
भाजपा की ‘लेटरल एंट्री’ जैसी साजिशों को हम हर हाल में नाकाम कर के दिखाएंगे।
मैं एक बार फिर कह रहा हूं – 50% आरक्षण सीमा को तोड़ कर हम जातिगत गिनती के आधार पर सामाजिक न्याय सुनिश्चित करेंगे।
जय हिन्द।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 20, 2024
The BJP has countered this criticism by highlighting that the concept of lateral entry was originally introduced under a Congress-led government.
In his letter, Mr. Singh noted, “While most major lateral entries before 2014 were made on an ad-hoc basis, often involving allegations of favoritism, our government has strived to make the process institutionally driven, transparent, and open.” He further reiterated the Prime Minister’s belief that the lateral entry process must strictly adhere to the constitutional principles of equity and social justice, with particular attention to the reservation provisions.
The letter also reflects the ongoing tension between the ruling and opposition parties regarding the recruitment of senior bureaucratic positions and the broader implications of such entries on governance and social justice.