Modi govt treads the difficult path; formalises lateral entry into civil services

Shobhit Kalra
Published on: 10 Jun 2018 12:22 PM GMT
Modi govt treads the difficult path; formalises lateral entry into civil services
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Sanjay Bhatnagar

Lucknow: Is it innovation or outsourcing the bureaucracy or even worse, the disillusionment with the present bureaucracy. In whichever way it may be explained or interpreted but finally the Government of India decided to formalise the lateral entry into the elite Civil Services on the nod much to their chagrin of domineering bureaucracy of the country.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), GoI, has come out with an advertisement in the newspapers on Sunday inviting applications for lateral entry into IAS, a debatable move which has already been resisted by people across the board, with or without bureaucracy per se.

It was only very recent when civil services 2018 aspirants were feeling disheartened over sudden drop in the intake of officers through All India exam of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the independent examining body to induct officers of Group A and Group B including elite IAS, IPS and IFS. The next and bigger jolt came in the form of GoI's advertisement seeking applications for lateral entry into the IAS at the level of Joint Secretary, the position IAS officers normally achieve after 20 years of service.

As it was expected the pros and cons over Modi government's decision have started to pour in with most of the reactions stamping apprehensions over intentions of the government and efficacy of the outcome. "How anyone from the private sector can be expected to work at this level efficiently without having done District and Secretariat postings as IAS officers do undertake," the former Chief Secretary of Uttar pradesh Alok Ranjan says adding "the specific subject knowledge is bliss but what about the administrative acumen required to execute the government policies."

It has many layers - what about those who compete through UPSC exam, one of the toughest exams in the country, what about those serving officers who go through the rigour of deputation for the sake of their career, what about those who will allege of favouritism while inducting the outsiders. Another point to ponder if the present ruling dispensation is seeking to clip the wings of bureaucracy through this uncalled for decision.

Clearly, the decision is bound to fluster the present bureaucracy and rightly so.

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The IAS fraternity has already went into a huddle to represent its concern before the Central government in due course, a senior functionary of Association said. Another senior IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh told newstrack.com on the condition of anonymity "the decision should make not only the services but people, at large, realise for what it is - desire to fill up every institution and every post with your hand picked people or should it be taken as the censure against the present bureaucracy". Though the decision in the light of both the reasons sound fallible.

Shobhit Kalra

Shobhit Kalra

Writer has 10 years of experience in digital media. Presently working as Chief Sub Editor at newstrack.com. An avid reader and always willing to learn new things and techniques.

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