Central govt cancels lateral recruitment amid controversy

New Delhi | Desk: The Central government has decided to cancel the recruitment process through the lateral entry following widespread controversy.

Minister of Personnel and Training department Jitendra Singh wrote to the UPSC Chairman requesting to cancel the advertisement of these recruitments.

Recently, UPSC released an advertisement about recruitments of 45 senior level posts including Joint and Deputy Secretary through lateral entry.

However, the recruitment process faced criticism for not including reservation provisions raising concerns about potential violation of rights for backward classes, Dalits and Adivasis.

In his letter to UPSC, Union Minister Singh stated that the Prime Minister believes that lateral entry must align with the equality and social justice as outlined in the Constitution, particularly reservations.

The Prime Minister emphasized that reservations in government jobs are fundamental to promoting inclusiveness and social justice.

After the Central’s decision, Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi took to social media platform X stating, “we will protect the Constitution and Reservation system at all costs”. We will thwart BJP’s attempts like lateral entry. By breaking the 50 percent reservation limit, we will ensure social justice based on caste count.”

The Congress party also commented on X, stating, “The Constitution has prevailed. The Modi government was planning to recruit without reservations through lateral entry, but they have now been forced to withdraw this decision. This is a victory for Baba Saheb’s Constitution and for every Dalit, marginalized, and backward individual.”