lateral-entry-upsc-posts-cancelled-on-pm-modi-s-instructions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed the cancellation of the recent lateral entry advertisement issued by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). In response, Jitendra Singh, the Minister of Personnel and Training (DoPT), wrote to the UPSC Chairman on Tuesday, requesting the withdrawal of the advertisement for lateral entry posts in various central government departments.

 

This decision aligns with PM Modi's emphasis on upholding social justice and ensuring equitable representation in government positions. The concept of lateral entry, which involves bringing in professionals from outside the traditional civil services to occupy key government roles, has been supported by various commissions and governments in the past.

 

The Second Administrative Reforms Commission, chaired by Veerappa Moily in 2005, endorsed lateral entry, and the Sixth Pay Commission in 2013 made similar recommendations. Historically, several significant lateral entries were made without adherence to reservation policies, often leading to accusations of favouritism.

 

However, PM Modi has expressed concerns that the current system of lateral entry does not adequately address the constitutional mandate for social justice, particularly regarding reservations for marginalised communities.

 

The Prime Minister believes that the process must be transparent, institutionally driven, and aligned with the principles of equity enshrined in the Constitution. The lack of reservation provisions for these specialised posts has raised concerns about fair representation in government services.

 

In his letter, Minister Jitendra Singh emphasised the need to review and reform the lateral entry process to ensure that candidates from marginalised communities receive their rightful representation.

 

He urged the UPSC to cancel the advertisement issued on August 17, 2024, and to align future recruitment processes with the government's focus on social justice.

 

The opposition has strongly criticised the government's lateral entry initiative. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, along with other opposition figures like Akhilesh Yadav, MK Stalin, and Sitaram Yechury, condemned the move, claiming it undermines the reservation rights of Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis.

 

Rahul Gandhi described lateral entry as an attack on these communities, accusing the BJP of attempting to dismantle the Constitution and erode reservation policies.

 

In response to the criticism, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw clarified that the lateral entry positions do not interfere with the existing reservation system for regular civil services openings.

 

He explained that these positions are temporary, created for a duration of three years, and do not impact the reservation rosters. Vaishnaw dismissed the opposition's claims as baseless, pointing out that lateral entry had been practised in previous governments as well. However, he asserted that the current government has made the process more systematic and transparent by involving the UPSC.