Union Minister Jitendra Singh has called for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to withdraw its recent advertisement for lateral entry into top positions within central ministries. This request comes in response to widespread criticism from opposition parties and allies of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Singh’s letter to UPSC Chairperson Preeti Sudan, referencing directions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscores the controversy surrounding the advertisement.
In his correspondence, Singh highlighted the need for lateral entry to adhere to constitutional principles of equity and social justice, emphasizing that reservations in public employment are fundamental to addressing historical injustices and fostering inclusivity. Singh argued that the specialized positions advertised, including joint secretaries, directors, and deputy secretaries, traditionally lack provisions for reservation, which he believes undermines the principles of social justice.
The advertisement, which sought to fill 45 positions, aimed to recruit specialists from both public and private sectors into central government departments. This move, however, sparked significant political backlash. The Congress party condemned the advertisement, labeling it an “attack on Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis,” and criticized the process for excluding reservation provisions. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh described the Union Minister’s letter as indicative of poor governance, given its lack of a date and what he perceived as an affront to constitutional authority.
Similarly, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav condemned the move as a “conspiracy” to undermine reservation provisions through “backdoor” lateral entry, referring to the rejection of reservations for backward classes, Dalits, and minorities. Yadav has delayed planned protests against the issue, indicating the significant political tension it has generated.
The advertisement by UPSC, issued last week, represents the largest lateral entry initiative in recent times, focusing on recruitment for 45 key bureaucratic roles. The announcement stirred controversy not only among opposition parties but also within NDA allies, including the Janata Dal (United) and Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), who voiced concerns about the lack of reservation in these appointments.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP government for allegedly targeting marginalized communities with the lateral entry policy, accusing the ruling party of attempting to undermine constitutional reservations. BJP ally Chirag Paswan also expressed concerns, asserting that reservation provisions must be upheld in all government appointments.
The Centre highlighted that lateral entry into the bureaucracy has historical precedence, with similar practices occurring since the 1970s under previous Congress governments. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal both argued that the current policy would not negatively impact the recruitment of SC/ST individuals, asserting that Prime Minister Modi’s approach to lateral entry merely formalizes and improves upon past practices.
