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Lateral Entry into Government

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June 12, 2018

.Why in news?

The DoPT has issued a notification inviting lateral entry at joint secretary-level posts.

What is the notification on?

  • The government has invited “outstanding individuals” to join the government at the joint secretary level at the Centre.
  • The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has invited applications for 10 senior level positions.
  • It covers the Departments of Economic Affairs, Revenue, Commerce and Highways among others.
  • The intake will be made in 10 departments initially.
  • It will expand to other categories in the second phase.

What are the specifications?

  • The eligibility criteria includes individuals working at comparable levels in -
  1. Private Sector Companies
  2. Consultancy Organisations
  3. International/Multinational Organisations
  • They are required to have a minimum of 15 years' experience.
  • Besides, it includes those working in -
  1. central public sector undertakings
  2. autonomous bodies
  3. statutory organisations
  4. research bodies
  5. universities
  • The recruitment will be on contract basis for 3 to 5 years.
  • The notification specifies a minimum age of 40 years.
  • The minimum qualification is graduation from a recognised university or institute.
  • Any higher qualification will be an added advantage.

What is the significance?

  • Joint secretaries are at a crucial level of senior management in the Government.
  • They lead policymaking and implementation of various programmes and schemes of the department.
  • They report to the secretary/additional secretary in the ministry or department.
  • The idea of lateral entry of private individuals into the administrative framework is not new.
  • However, the recent notification is the first move towards its implementation.

What are the benefits?

  • A generalist was suited to the times when the state was the nerve centre of the economy.
  • But in the course of time, the state started yielding to the market.
  • A senior bureaucrat, thus, is expected to regulate the private sector as well.
  • Moreover, the increasing complexities of policy-making have started to demand a level of specialisation in the fields.
  • The move is thus aimed at bringing in expertise from the private sector individuals.
  • It is a measure to infuse talent into the country’s bureaucracy.

What is the current practice?

  • Joint secretary level positions are normally filled by career bureaucrats.
  • These are those who join the service after passing UPSC exam.
  • UPSC prepares merit list and allot the different cadres like IAS, IPS, etc.
  • The success of the announced lateral entry will greatly depend on transparency.
  • Addressing potential conflicts of interest, and ensuring proper terms of engagement are crucial.

 

Source: The Hindu, Indian Express

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