Why Govt Withdrew Lateral Entry Scheme, What Rahul Gandhi Said?

New Delhi: The Central Government has withdrawn its advertisement inviting applications for lateral entry positions in various levels of the Union government. This decision follows criticism from opposition parties, who were vocal in their disapproval of the scheme. The controversy also caused rifts within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, as some of its allies openly opposed the initiative.

Notably, Union Minister Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and the Janata Dal (United) voiced their objections to the lateral entry scheme. On the other hand, N Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) expressed support for the initiative, highlighting the divided opinions within the alliance.

The government has requested the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to withdraw its recent advertisement for lateral entry into the bureaucracy.  The retraction was confirmed in a letter from Union Minister Jitender Singh to the UPSC chief, where he conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's belief that the "move should be aligned with social justice."

Last week, the UPSC had issued an advertisement seeking "talented and motivated Indian nationals" for lateral recruitment to various senior positions within the Union government. The positions advertised included Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Secretary across 24 ministries, with a total of 45 posts available.

Lateral entry into the bureaucracy allows for recruitment from outside the traditional government service cadres, such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), to fill mid and senior-level positions in government departments. This approach has been a subject of debate, with some advocating for the infusion of fresh talent and ideas, while others raise concerns about bypassing the traditional merit-based selection process.

Lateral entry advertisement sparked immediate backlash

The announcement of the lateral entry advertisement sparked immediate backlash. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the process, labeling it an "attack on Dalits." The ruling BJP, however, countered these claims by noting that the concept of lateral entry was first introduced under a Congress-led government.

Adding to the criticism was Chirag Paswan

Adding to the criticism was Union Minister Chirag Paswan, a key ally of the BJP in Bihar. Paswan emphasized the necessity of reservations in all government appointments. He said concern that there were no such provisions in the private sector and. Removal of quota in lateral entries could undermine social justice. "Reservation provisions must be there in any government appointments. There are no ifs and buts in this," Paswan stated.

Following the government's decision to withdraw the advertisement, Paswan welcomed the move, stating that it demonstrated the government's responsiveness to public concerns.

Rahul reiterates his commitment to protecting the Constitution and the reservation system

In response to the cancellation, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to the social media platform X, reiterating his commitment to protecting the Constitution and the reservation system. "We will protect the Constitution and the reservation system at all costs. We will foil the conspiracies of BJP like 'lateral entry' at all costs," Gandhi wrote. He also vowed to ensure social justice based on caste count, even if it meant breaking the 50 percent reservation limit.

The Congress party has consistently argued that lateral entry recruitment would violate the rights of backward classes, Dalits, and tribals by not adhering to the existing reservation rules. They contend that such a process could lead to the marginalization of these communities within government positions.