Union Minister Jitendra Singh asks UPSC to cancel lateral recruitment of bureaucrats
Updated: Aug 20th, 2024
Amid mounting pressure from the Opposition, Union Minister Jitendra Singh of the Department of Personnel and Training Ministry wrote to the UPSC chairman today, asking to immediately stop direct recruitment of bureaucrats through lateral entry.
“The Hon’ble 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 our Constitution, particularly concerning the provisions of reservation,” read the letter.
“Hence, I urge the UPSC to cancel the advertisement for lateral entry recruitment issued on 17.8.2024,” it added.
UPSC, on Aug 17 , announced lateral recruitment for 45 posts of Secretary, including 10 posts of Joint Secretary while 25 posts of Director.
The opposition heavily protested the move, with LoP Rahul Gandhi saying that Narendra Modi is attacking the Constitution by recruiting Lok Sevak through Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh instead of Sangh Lok Seva Aayog.
“SC, ST and OBC reservations are being openly taken away by central government through lateral entry recruitment to important posts in all ministries,” said Gandhi.
Apart from the Congress, the leaders of BJP’s allies were also vocal about the move. LJP party president and Union minister Chirag Paswan said that no recruitment can be done to any government post without implementing reservation. Implementation of reservation in any government post is necessary. The party (LJP) does not support of this lateral entry.
While JD(U) also opposed the recruitment through lateral entry, party spokesperson KC Tyagi said the central government’s move was worrisome.
Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has also opposed this decision and said that he will raise this issue in the Cabinet meeting.
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