Modi govt opens doors of bureaucracy to private sector professionals

As the government on Sunday invited applications for 10 Joint Secretary level posts through lateral entry as opposed to the UPSC examinations, opening the doors of bureaucracy for private sector professionals, Opposition leaders severely criticised the step and alleged that the govt is doing so to get people close to BJP and RSS at top positions to influence government decisions.

"This is being done so that people who are with RSS or BJP come on this position and will then directly influence the decisions taken by government," Congress' PL Punia was reported as saying by NDTV.

"How can this ‘Manuvadi government’ sideline the UPSC and appoint whoever they like to important posts like joint secretaries without conducting exams,” asked Tejashwi Yadav in a tweet. “This is a violation of the constitution and reservation. Tomorrow they will appoint a PM and cabinet without conducting elections. They have made a joke out of the constitutions," the RJD leader tweeted.

The government said the proposal of lateral entry was aimed at bringing in "fresh ideas and new approaches" to governance and also to augment manpower.

"Government of India has decided to invite talented and motivated Indian nationals willing to contribute towards nation building to join the government at the level of Joint Secretary," said a notification issued by the Department of Personnel and Training.

Joint Secretaries are at a crucial level of senior management in the government and lead policy making as well as implementation of various programmes and schemes of the department assigned to them. They report to the Secretary or the Additional Secretary in the respective ministries.

The joint secretary post is usually filled through the competitive exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

The government notification said that candidates having expertise in specific areas of revenue, financial services, economic affairs, agriculture, road transport and highways, shipping, environment and forests, new and renewable energy, civil aviation and commerce can apply for the posts.

While candidates from state governments and Central or state public sector undertakings will be appointed on deputation, the candidates from private sector will be appointed on contract basis, the notification said.

The NITI Aayog welcomed the move to initiate lateral entry in the bureaucracy with its CEO Amitabh Kant saying it was long overdue.

"NITI's experience with lateral entry has been extremely good. They (candidates) bring in a vast number of fresh and vibrant ideas.

"This move in government was long overdue and I welcome it. (It) Will catalyze UPSC entrants to specialise. Government must also allow deputation of its officers to private sector as well," Kant said in a tweet.

With IANS inputs