Context:

• The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) issued an advertisement seeking applications “from talented and motivated Indian nationals willing to contribute towards nation building” for three posts of Joint Secretary and 27 of Directors in central government Departments.
• These individuals, who would make a “lateral entry” into the government secretariat, would be contracted for three to five years. These posts were “unreserved”, meaning there were no quotas for SCs, STs and OBCs.

What is ‘lateral entry’ into government?

• NITI Aayog, in its three-year Action Agenda, and the Sectoral Group of Secretaries (SGoS) on Governance in its report submitted in February 2017, recommended the induction of personnel at middle and senior management levels in the central government.
• These ‘lateral entrants’ would be part of the central secretariat which in the normal course has only career bureaucrats from the All India Services/ Central Civil Services.
• A Joint Secretary, appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), has the third highest rank (after Secretary and Additional Secretary) in a Department, and functions as administrative head of a wing in the Department.
• Directors are a rank below that of Joint Secretary.

What is the government’s reasoning for lateral entry?

• Government has, from time to time, appointed some prominent persons for specific assignments in government, keeping in view their specialized knowledge and expertise in the domain area.
• Lateral recruitment is aimed at achieving the twin objectives of bringing in fresh talent as well as augment the availability of manpower.

Why lateral entry is sometimes criticized?

• Groups representing SCs, STs and OBCs have protested the fact that there is no reservation in these appointments.

So are these contractual appointments not open for quotas?

• In a May 15, 2018 circular, the DoPT noted that “in respect of appointments to Central Government posts and services there shall be reservation for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/Other Backward Class candidates in temporary appointments which are to last for 45 days or more”.
• This was a reiteration — with OBCs added — of a circular issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs as far back as on September 24, 1968.
• However, there is a reason why these posts are claimed to be “unreserved”.
• As per the currently applicable “13-point roster”, there is no reservation up to three posts.
• In a single post cadre, reservation does not apply. Since each post to be filled under this scheme is a Single Post, reservation is not applicable.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-lateral-entry-into-bureaucracy-reason-process-and-controversy-7208943/

Download PDF