Government Scrutiny: Centre Calls for Cancellation of UPSC Lateral Entry Amid Ally Concerns

 

Last Saturday, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) issued a notification inviting applications for 45 high-level posts—comprising 10 positions of joint secretaries and 35 for directors or deputy secretaries—through the lateral entry mode on a contractual basis. This initiative is designed to bring in specialists, including professionals from the private sector, to work in various government departments.

The government's objective with this scheme is to enhance the efficiency and expertise within the bureaucracy by institutionalizing the process of lateral entry, which had previously been criticized for being ad-hoc and allegedly prone to favoritism. In a letter addressing the move, the government emphasized its commitment to making the lateral entry process transparent, merit-based, and institutionally driven, distancing itself from practices before 2014.

Furthermore, the letter highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's firm belief that the lateral entry mechanism must align with the principles of equity and social justice, as outlined in the Constitution, particularly concerning the reservation provisions for marginalized communities.

This initiative has sparked a significant political debate, especially after Union Minister Chirag Paswan, an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), expressed his concerns over the lateral entry scheme. Paswan voiced his apprehensions about making government appointments without adhering to the reservation system, which he sees as critical for ensuring representation and fairness for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

The issue escalated further when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the government of undermining the rights of Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis through this lateral entry process. Gandhi labeled the move an "attack" on these communities, intensifying the political row.

In response, the Centre dismissed the allegations, accusing the Congress of spreading misinformation regarding the lateral recruitment process. The government clarified that the scheme would not undermine the recruitment opportunities for SCs and STs in the All India Services, which continue to uphold the reservation system.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw defended the scheme, pointing out that lateral entry into the bureaucracy is not a new concept. He noted that such appointments had been made since the 1970s under Congress-led governments, citing the examples of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and economist Montek Singh Ahluwalia, who were both inducted into the government through lateral entry during earlier administrations.

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi's criticism, reminding him that Manmohan Singh was appointed as the finance secretary in 1976 via lateral entry. Meghwal argued that while the Congress initiated lateral entry, Prime Minister Modi has refined the process by making it more systematic and transparent.

As the debate continues, the Centre is standing by its decision, emphasizing that the lateral entry scheme is designed to bring in much-needed expertise into the government while maintaining the principles of social justice. However, with political tensions rising, it remains to be seen how this initiative will unfold in the coming days.