Union Minister Jitendra Singh has requested UPSC Chairperson Preeti Sudan to withdraw the advertisement for lateral entry to 45 government posts, citing the need for "rightful representation" of marginalized communities in the government services. This decision comes after objections raised by the Opposition and key NDA allies JD(U) and LJP. Despite the government's reliance on a 1978 instruction to conclude that lateral entry does not require reservation for SC/ST/OBC candidates, the issue of reservation has been sidelined, causing concerns about fair representation for these communities.
Lateral Entry in UPSC: Controversies and Concerns
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) recently announced a plan to hire 45 candidates for senior positions in the government through a lateral entry scheme. However, the announcement has sparked controversy, leading Union Minister Jitendra Singh to request the UPSC to withdraw the advertisement.
Background
The lateral entry scheme was introduced by the Modi government in 2020 as a way to bring experienced professionals from the private sector into the government. The scheme allows for direct recruitment at the level of Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Secretary.
Controversy
The controversy surrounding the lateral entry scheme stems from concerns that it could undermine the principle of reservation. The UPSC initially claimed that reservation would not apply to lateral entry posts, based on a 1978 instruction. However, this claim was challenged by opposition parties and NDA allies JD(U) and LJP, who argued that reservation should be mandatory for all government posts.
Minister's Request
Faced with mounting pressure, Union Minister Jitendra Singh wrote to UPSC Chairperson Preeti Sudan asking her to withdraw the advertisement. He argued that the need for "rightful representation" of marginalized communities in the government services outweighed the benefits of lateral entry.
FAQs
1. What is lateral entry?
Lateral entry is a method of hiring experienced professionals from the private sector into the government at senior levels.
2. Why has lateral entry caused controversy?
Concerns have been raised that lateral entry could undermine the principle of reservation, which ensures representation for marginalized communities in government services.
3. What is the government's position on reservation in lateral entry?
The government initially claimed that reservation would not apply to lateral entry posts, based on a 1978 instruction. However, this claim has been challenged by opposition parties and NDA allies.
4. What has Union Minister Jitendra Singh requested?
Union Minister Jitendra Singh has requested the UPSC to withdraw the advertisement for lateral entry, citing the need for "rightful representation" of marginalized communities.
5. What is the future of lateral entry in the UPSC?
The UPSC is expected to reconsider the issue of reservation in light of the concerns raised. The future of lateral entry in the UPSC remains uncertain.
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