The issue of no provision of reservation in the appointment of 45 experts through lateral entry in the Central Secretariat has taken a political turn. Opposition parties are attacking the central government over this. They are accusing the BJP-led central government of being anti-reservation. Meanwhile, questions have also started being raised from within the NDA on this issue. Union Minister Chirag Paswan has criticized any move to make appointments to government posts through lateral entry and said that he will raise this issue before the Center.
This reaction of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president has come at a time when recently the central government announced the appointment of 45 experts through lateral entry on contract basis to key posts like joint secretary, director and deputy secretary in various central ministries. Usually such posts are posted by officers of All India Services – Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFoS) – and other Group A services.
Opposition’s allegation
The opposition alleges that this move to recruit public servants through lateral entry is an anti-national move and such action is openly snatching away the reservation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. Chirag Paswan said on this issue that there should be a provision for reservation in any government appointment. There is no ifs and buts in this. There is no reservation in the private sector and if it is not implemented in government posts as well… This information came to me on Sunday and it is a matter of concern for me.
Paswan is an ally of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. He said that as a member of the government, he has the platform to raise the issue and he will do so. The Union minister said that as far as his party is concerned, it is not in support of such a move at all. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Saturday advertised for 45 posts, including 10 joint secretaries and 35 directors/deputy secretaries. These posts are to be filled through lateral entry on contract basis.
Tags: Chirag Paswan, Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC), UPSC Exams
FIRST PUBLISHED : August 19, 2024, 20:37 IST
