||Black and White Digital News ||

||August ||19,2024||

On Sunday, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a scathing attack on the central government’s move to recruit public servants through lateral entry. Gandhi termed this initiative as an “anti-national step” and accused the government of undermining the reservation system designed to benefit Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). His comments reflect growing concerns within opposition ranks about the potential implications of lateral entry on the principles of social justice and equitable representation in India’s bureaucracy.

Background on Lateral Entry:

Lateral entry is a process where specialists from outside the traditional civil services are recruited to fill key bureaucratic positions, usually at the level of joint secretary, director, or deputy secretary in various ministries. This system aims to bring in domain expertise and a fresh perspective to policymaking, which is often seen as a way to enhance efficiency and introduce innovative solutions within the government machinery. Traditionally, such positions are occupied by officers from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Forest Service (IFoS), and other Group A services, who are recruited through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Rahul Gandhi’s Allegations:

Gandhi’s criticism is anchored in the belief that lateral entry circumvents the reservation system, which is integral to ensuring representation for SCs, STs, and OBCs in the upper echelons of government. He expressed his views through a post on X (formerly Twitter), where he stated, “Reservation of SC, ST, and OBC classes is being openly snatched away by recruiting through lateral entry on important posts in various ministries of the central government.”

He further accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “attacking the Constitution” by prioritizing the recruitment of public servants through the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), rather than through the constitutionally mandated UPSC. This, according to Gandhi, not only marginalizes the underprivileged but also deprives talented youth preparing for the UPSC of their rightful opportunities in the civil services.

Concerns Over Social Justice and Representation:

The former Congress president also highlighted the broader implications of this move on social justice. He argued that the move to lateral entry exacerbates the existing underrepresentation of marginalized communities in top government positions. Gandhi contended that instead of addressing the lack of diversity in the upper ranks of the bureaucracy, the government is “pushing further away” the underprivileged from these crucial roles.

Citing the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) as an example, Gandhi referred to the appointment of Madhabi Buch, a private sector specialist, as its chairperson. He implied that such appointments could lead to conflicts of interest, particularly when individuals with corporate backgrounds occupy influential government positions. This, he suggests, could undermine the objectivity and impartiality of the regulatory bodies.

Opposition’s Stance:

Gandhi asserted that the INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties, would strongly oppose this “anti-national step” that, in their view, not only jeopardizes the administrative structure but also violates the principles of social justice. The opposition’s criticism is rooted in the belief that the lateral entry process could erode the meritocratic and representative foundations of India’s civil services, which are vital for inclusive governance.

Government’s Position:The government, on the other hand, justifies lateral entry as a necessary reform to infuse specialized knowledge and expertise into policymaking, which is often lacking in career bureaucrats. An official from the government mentioned that the latest tranche of lateral recruitment, advertised by the UPSC, involves 45 positions, including 10 joint secretaries and 35 directors or deputy secretaries. This is seen as the largest wave of such recruitment so far, indicating the government’s commitment to expanding this approach.

Rahul Gandhi’s vehement opposition to lateral entry reflects the broader debate on the balance between meritocracy, representation, and social justice in India’s civil services. As the government continues to pursue reforms aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency, the opposition’s concerns highlight the need to carefully consider the long-term implications of such changes on the foundational values of the Indian Constitution, particularly in terms of inclusivity and equity. The coming months are likely to witness intensified debates on this issue, with the INDIA bloc and the government clashing over the future direction of India’s bureaucracy.