In an attempt to break away from “bureaucratic red tapism” and infuse fresh ideas into governance, the Centre on Sunday advertised 10 for posts of Joint Secretary-level officers opening them for general public bypassing the prevalent Union Public Service Commission system. The Government hopes to overhaul the governance system through this experimental step.
Terming the recruitment as “lateral recruitment”, the Government through the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) advertised for 10 posts against vacancies in ministries of Finance, Commerce, Civil Aviation, Environment, Agriculture, Road Transport and Highways, Shipping, Renewable Energy. The advertisement invited professionals working in various field to join the Government and become part of the nation- building.
Though the appointment of individuals from private sector in the Government at Secretary level is not new — the NDA Government in 2002 had appointed Reliance-owned BSES head RV Sahi as the Power Secretary — this is the first time posts at Joint Secretary level have been thrown open for the general public from the public and private sectors.
“The 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. The proposal of lateral entry is aimed at bringing in fresh ideas and new approaches to governance and also to augment manpower. Candidates who have expertise in specific areas of Revenue, Financial Services, Economic Affairs, Agriculture, Road Transport & Highways, Shipping, Environment & Forests, New & Renewable Energy, Civil Aviation and Commerce and fulfil the eligibility criteria may apply for specific posts mentioned in the advertisement,” the DoPT advertisement said.
It added that candidates from State Governments/ Union Territories Administration, Central/State PSUs/autonomous bodies, etc, set up or controlled by Central/State Governments shall be appointed on deputation (including short-term contract). The candidates from private sector organisations, international/multinational organisations, etc, shall be appointed on contract basis for a period of three years extendable up to five years.
Minister of State (MoS) in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh said the Government’s decision of introducing lateral entry of 10 positions as Joint Secretaries is an endeavour to give every Indian a chance to grow and contribute his expertise in the national growth.
Terming the lateral entry as a huge reform by exposing the top civil service to competition through lateral entry, former vice chairman of Niti Aayog, Arvind Panagriya tweeted, “Hope India’s best minds will rise to the occasion and come forward to serve. They are the key to the success of the reform.”
The unconventional move based on recommendations of the NITI Aayog drew strong criticism from Opposition parties who were against the idea of diluting bureaucratic checks and balances. “Why are time-tested UPSC and SSC being sought to be underminedIJ To fill IAS ranks with Sanghis and undermine reservation too, in the BJP’s last few months in office,” tweeted CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury.
Defending the move Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant tweeted, “Niti’s experience with lateral entry has been extremely good. They bring in a vast number of fresh & vibrant ideas. This move in Govt was long overdue & I welcome it. Will catalyse UPSC entrants to specialise. Govt must also allow deputation of its officers to private sector as well.”
This move was also welcomed by RTI activist and former CIC Shailesh Gandhi, who said that this is a better method as UPSC doesn’t show the specialisation. “If the selection is done in a transparent manner, laying down proper criteria and ensuring that experts in those fields joined is a brilliant idea,” he said.
Historian Ramachandran Guha posted his 2016 article written in a newspaper suggesting the Government to open bureaucracy for competition. “I think that from the level of Joint Secretary upwards, all Government jobs should be subject to open competition. At that level one can bring in professionals with expertise, and yet allow them to grow in the State system, before assuming larger responsibilities,” Guha had written.