Govt offers 10 Joint Secy posts for lateral entry

NEW DELHI: Opening the doors of the bureaucracy for private sector professionals, the government on Sunday invited applications for 10 Joint Secretary-level posts through lateral entry as opposed to those inducted through the UPSC exam.

The opposition Congress criticised the decision, saying it was just to “sabotage” the efficiently-running system and with a view to “take in people from the RSS, BJP and some of the industrial houses of the country”.

However, the government said the proposal of lateral entry was aimed at bringing in “fresh ideas and new approaches” to governance and also to augment manpower.

“The Government of India has decided to invite talented and motivated Indian nationals willing to contribute towards nation-building to join the government at the level of Joint Secretary,” said a notification issued by the Department of Personnel and Training.

Joint Secretaries are placed at a crucial level of senior management in the government and lead policy-making as well as implementation of various programmes and schemes of the department assigned to them. They report to the Secretary or the Additional Secretary in the respective Ministries.

The Joint Secretary’s post is usually filled through the competitive exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

The notification said candidates with expertise in specific areas of revenue, financial services, economic affairs, agriculture, road transport and highways, shipping, environment and forests, new and renewable energy, civil aviation and commerce can apply for the posts. The candidates from private sector will be appointed on contract basis, the notification said.