In a notable development, the BJP's National Information & Technology Department Incharge, Amit Malviya, clarified on Wednesday that the controversial ?Lateral Entry? notification has been withdrawn, not canceled. This clarification follows a significant decision by the Centre to withdraw the notification amidst strong opposition criticism.
On Tuesday, the Centre announced the withdrawal of invitations for lateral entry posts in the bureaucracy, a move that was met with mixed reactions from political parties. Taking to X, Amit Malviya addressed the confusion, asserting, ?The opposition is needlessly excited, claiming victory of sorts, just because the ?Lateral Entry? notification issued by the UPSC has been withdrawn.?
Malviya further elaborated, ?The notification has been withdrawn, not canceled. A more specific notification is likely to follow, with clear elucidation of guidelines and defined provisions for social justice, so that the usual suspects can?t vitiate the environment.?
This development follows instructions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed at reassessing the lateral entry process. Malviya defended the government's decision, emphasizing that the Modi administration is responsive to feedback and committed to transparency. He cited previous instances where the government withdrew controversial measures, such as the Land Acquisition Bill and three farm laws, to illustrate its openness to constructive critique.
?The Modi government wants to ensure that lateral entries through UPSC are conducted in a transparent, institutionalized manner and are consistent with the principles of social justice and reservation,? Malviya stated. He added that the government is re-evaluating the notification to align with feedback from industry and social groups.
Malviya also criticized the Congress party, accusing them of favoring ad-hocism and opacity over structured, transparent processes. ?They (Congress) prefer ad-hocism and opacity compared to institutionalized processes,? he remarked.
Understanding Lateral Entry
Lateral entry refers to the recruitment of external professionals into mid and senior-level positions within the central government, bypassing the traditional bureaucratic service cadre. Initiated during Prime Minister Modi's tenure, the scheme was designed to infuse new talent and perspectives into the administration. The first set of lateral entry vacancies was announced in 2018, offering contracts initially for three years, extendable up to five years.
Recommended by NITI Aayog in 2017, this approach aimed to enhance governance by bringing in fresh expertise. Despite its intentions, the initiative has been a subject of debate, with critics questioning its impact on the conventional bureaucratic system.
The BJP's recent clarification underscores the government's commitment to refining the lateral entry process while addressing concerns raised by various stakeholders.
