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.
The Indian government has asked the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to withdraw its advertisement for lateral entry into bureaucracy, after facing intense opposition and pressure from allies, including Chirag Paswan. The move sparked a debate, with PM Narendra Modi emphasizing the need for aligning the process with social justice. However, the ruling BJP and Congress seem to have different opinions on the matter.
The Narendra Modi government faced backlash from the opposition and its own allies regarding lateral appointments in the bureaucracy, which led to a swift change in direction. This move came after Union Minister Jitendra Singh directed the cancellation of an advertisement for 45 posts and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's statement on the government's commitment to social justice. The government's cautious approach is attributed to the successful opposition campaign during the Lok Sabha elections, where Congress leader Rahul Gandhi consistently criticized the government's actions towards reservations. With Assembly elections coming up, the BJP is wary of any further damage to its SC/ST and OBC vote bank, and has yet to clarify its stance on sub-categorization and the Supreme Court's observation on creamy layer exclusion.
The Modi government has requested the UPSC to cancel its recent advertisement for lateral entry recruitment, citing the need to uphold principles of equity and social justice enshrined in the Constitution. The move, which comes after criticism from Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, aims to ensure rightful representation of marginalized communities in government services. This decision has sparked controversy, with Gandhi calling it an "anti-national step" and alleging that it attacks Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan, the president of Lok Janshakti Party, has raised concerns about the Centre's decision to fill government jobs through lateral entry on a contract basis. He argues that such appointments should adhere to existing reservation provisions and vows to bring the issue to the attention of the Centre. Meanwhile, the BJP defends the move as a step towards introducing transparency in the recruitment process, while opposition parties accuse it of undermining reservations for marginalized communities. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also criticizes the Congress' hypocrisy in opposing lateral entry, pointing out that the concept was first developed by the UPA government.
Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and other opposition leaders of the INDIA bloc have criticized the BJP government's decision to hire public servants through lateral entry. They claim that this move will harm the reservations for marginalized communities. However, the BJP has refuted these allegations, citing office memorandums that stress the importance of following reservation guidelines in lateral entries. Meanwhile, the Union Public Service Commission has advertised 45 posts to be filled through lateral entry, sparking a debate on employment and reservation policies in the Indian government.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has criticized the Modi government for appointing public servants through the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) instead of following the traditional Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) route. He has expressed concerns that this approach may undermine the reservation system and limit opportunities for underprivileged individuals. Gandhi has also raised questions about potential corporate influence in these appointments, citing the recent appointment of SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch as an example. The issue of lateral entry has sparked a debate about the role of the UPSC in selecting top government officials and its impact on social justice.