The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) cancels lateral entry for 45 joint secretaries, directors, and deputy secretaries through lateral entry, which is a significant step. The Center’s worries about the lack of reservation provisions in the hiring process sparked a political issue, which led to the decision.
Cancellation of Lateral Entry Recruitment
The Withdrawal Directive from the Center
The UPSC was instructed by the Center to cancel its most recent lateral entry job advertisement on Tuesday. A developing controversy about the offered posts’ lack of reservations for those with disabilities had an impact on the decision. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State for Personnel, was important in this decision by highlighting the importance of making sure that underrepresented groups are fairly represented in government services.
Improper Reserving in Announced Posts
The hiring procedure, which aimed to choose experts from the private sector among others, came under fire for violating the reservation rules. In pursuance of the rules in effect at the time, the jobs were first posted as single-cadre positions without reservation requirements. Political parties and social groups that support the rights of Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis strongly reacted against this omission.
UPSC Cancels Lateral Entry Recruitment Amid Reservation Controversy
Introduction
In a significant development, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has withdrawn its advertisement for recruiting 45 joint secretaries, directors, and deputy secretaries through lateral entry. The move came after the Centre raised concerns regarding the absence of reservation provisions in the recruitment process, sparking a political controversy.
Understanding the Cancellation of UPSC Lateral Entry Recruitment
Centre’s Directive for Withdrawal
On Tuesday, the Centre directed the UPSC to cancel its recent lateral entry recruitment advertisement. The decision was influenced by a growing row over the lack of reservation for marginalized communities in the advertised positions. Union Minister of State for Personnel, Jitendra Singh, played a pivotal role in this decision, emphasizing the need to ensure that marginalized communities are given fair representation in government services.
Lack of Reservation in Advertised Posts
The recruitment process, which sought to appoint specialists, including those from the private sector, was criticized for not adhering to the reservation policy. The positions were initially advertised as single-cadre posts, which, under current regulations, did not include reservation provisions. This omission led to widespread backlash from political parties and social groups advocating for the rights of Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis.
Political Repercussions
The Cry of Opposition
Opposition parties reacted strongly to the news of reservation-free lateral entry recruitment. One of the first people to oppose the action was Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leader, who described it as an assault on the rights of Bahujans. Other political figures repeated his comments, expressing worry that lateral access could harm the reserve system and isolate marginalized groups.
Allies of the NDA Join the Criticism
It’s interesting that criticism didn’t just come from other political parties. A few NDA partners expressed their disapproval as well, especially the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and the Janata Dal (United). Representing the LJP, Union Minister Chirag Paswan emphasized the significance of reservation provisions in all government appointments, without exception.
Government’s Defense of Lateral Entry
The Historical Origins of Lateral Admission
The government responded to the situation by defending the practice of lateral entrance and explaining its historical background, which dates back to governments headed by Congress in the 1970s. The administration argued that the idea of lateral entry was not new and had been applied for many years to the appointment of experts to positions inside the government.
Guarantees Regarding Reservation Compliance
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw gave assurances that the hiring of SC/ST applicants for government jobs will not be hampered by the lateral entry procedure. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal additionally stressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership established the system, ensuring a logical approach to accepting lateral entrance while maintaining social justice ideals.
This ongoing discussion is expected to impact future regulations on lateral entry in public services, as the government strikes a balance between the values of equality and social justice and the necessity for specialized skills in bureaucracy.
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