Govt asks UPSC to cancel latest lateral entry advertisements

PTI, NEW DELHI, 20 Aug, 2024 : The Centre on Tuesday asked the UPSC to withdraw the latest advertisement for lateral entry in bureaucracy, amid a row over reservation in the advertised posts.

Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh wrote to Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) chairman Preeti Sudan and asked her to cancel the advertisement, so that marginalised communities get  their rightful representation in government services.

The UPSC had on 17 August issued a notification for recruiting 45 joint secretaries, directors and deputy secretaries through lateral entry – referred to as appointment of specialists (including those from the private sector) in government departments.

The decision had ignited criticism from opposition parties, which claimed it undermined the reservation rights of OBCs, SCs and STs.

In his letter, Singh said that for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reservation in public employment is “a cornerstone of our social justice framework aimed at addressing historical injustices and promoting inclusivity.”

“Since these positions have been treated as specialised and designated as single-cadre posts, there has been no provision for reservation in these appointments. This aspect needs to be reviewed and reformed in the context of the prime minister’s focus on ensuring social justice,” Singh said.

“I urge the UPSC to cancel the advertisement for lateral entry recruitment issued on 17.8.2024,” he said.

This step would be a significant advance in the pursuit of social justice and empowerment, Singh said.

"It is well known that, as a principle, lateral entry was endorsed by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission which was constituted in 2005, chaired by Shri Veerappa Moily. The recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission in 2013 were also in the same direction," he said.

However, both before and after that there have been many high-profile cases of lateral entrants, he said.

Under earlier governments, posts as important as that of secretary in various ministries, leadership of UIDAI, etc., have been given to lateral entrants without following any process of reservations, Singh said.

"Further, it is well known that the members of the infamous National Advisory Council used to run a super-bureaucracy that controlled the Prime Minister's Office," he said.

While most of the major lateral entries before 2014 were made in an ad hoc manner, including cases of alleged favouritism, the efforts of "our government have been to make the process institutionally driven, transparent and open", the minister said.

Further, the prime minister is of the firm belief that the process of lateral entry must be aligned with the principles of equity and social justice enshrined in the Constitution, particularly concerning the provisions of reservation, Singh said.

"It is well known that the members of the infamous National Advisory Council used to run a super-bureaucracy that controlled the Prime Minister's Office," he said.

While most of the major lateral entries before 2014 were made in an ad hoc manner, including cases of alleged favoritism, the efforts of "our government" have been to make the process institutionally driven, transparent, and open," the minister said.

Further, the Prime Minister is of the firm belief that the process of lateral entry must be aligned with the principles of equity and social justice enshrined in the Constitution, particularly concerning the provisions of reservation, Singh said.

The Congress claimed that the Centre's move was due to the campaign by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and INDIA bloc parties, and said this shows that only the power of the Constitution can defeat the "arrogance of a dictatorial regime". Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi asserted that the Congress will protect the Constitution and the reservation system at all costs and foil "conspiracies" of the BJP.

The remarks came after Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh wrote to Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) chairman Preeti Sudan and asked her to cancel the advertisement so that marginalized communities get their rightful representation in government services.

Reacting to the development, Kharge said: "Long live the Constitution! The Congress party's fight for social justice for our Dalits, tribals, backward, and weaker sections has foiled the BJP's plans to snatch away reservation."

"Modi government's letter on lateral entry shows that only the power of the Constitution can defeat the arrogance of a dictatorial regime," the Congress chief said in a post in Hindi on X.

He said it was due to the campaign run by Rahul Gandhi, the Congress, and INDIA bloc parties that the government has taken a step back.