Union ministry asks UPSC to withdraw lateral entry ad
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has been asked to cancel its advertisement for lateral entry into top posts in central ministries amid backlash.
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The Union Ministry has written to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and urged it to withdraw the advertisement for lateral entry into top posts in central ministries.
The request follows a massive political row erupted over the issue, mainly from the opposition as well as NDA allies.
The advertisement was for the 45 joint secretaries, directors, and deputy secretaries across 24 Central Ministries through lateral entry on a contract basis or deputation.
In its letter, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that PM Narendra Modi has stressed that the “process of lateral entry must be aligned with the principles of equity and social justice enshrined in our Constitution, particularly concerning the provisions of reservation”.
Reacting to the same, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin termed it a direct assault on social justice, adding that a caste census is imperative to guarantee basic rights to backward classes.
In a post on social media platform X, he said, "Lateral entry is a direct assault on social justice, depriving meritorious SC, ST, OBC and minority officers of their deserved opportunities at the top. The Union Government must halt this practice, prioritise filling backlog vacancies for OBCs & SC/STs, and ensure fair and equitable promotions."
He also demanded the complete abolition of the creamy layer.
On August 19, Union Minister Chirag Paswan also said that his party did not agree with how these posts had been advertised as reservations had not been taken into consideration.
