Lateral Entry into Government

.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