New Delhi: The government has opened up senior-level bureaucratic posts in several departments to people who are “talented and motivated” and willing to contribute to nation building. According to an advertisement published in leading newspapers, the government is looking for ten “outstanding individuals” with expertise in the areas of revenue, financial services, economic affairs, agriculture, cooperation and farmers’ welfare, road transport and highway, shipping, environment, forests and climate change, new and renewable energy, civil aviation and commerce. A circular issued by the Department of Personnel and Training also said: “The Government of India invites talented and motivated Indian nationals willing to contribute towards nation building to join the government at the level of Joint Secretary.” The initiative is being called lateral recruitment to senior positions in the government. The period of contract will be for three years from the date of commencement of service, extendable up to five years depending upon performance. Joint secretaries are at a crucial level of senior management in the government of India and lead policy-making as well as implementation of various programmes and schemes of the department assigned to them. They report to the secretary/additional secretary in the ministry or department and are normally appointed from all-India services like the IAS, IPS, IFS and other allied services. The criteria for applicants include minimum age of 40 years as on July 1, 2018 and graduation from a recognised university or institute. Higher qualifications would be an added advantage. Those who are eligible to apply are officers of any state or union territory government with relevant experience who are already working at an equivalent level or are eligible for an appointment to an equivalent level in their cadre, It also includes individuals working at comparable levels in public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies, statutory organisations, universities, recognised research institutes with a minimum of 15 years of experience. Those working at comparable levels in private sector companies, consultancy organisations, international or multinational organisations with a minimum of 15 years experience can also apply. Selected applicants shall be placed at the beginning of the pay scale as applicable to a joint secretary, which is Rs 1,44,200-Rs 2,18,200 per month (Level 14 of Pay Matrix). In addition, they shall be eligible for all allowances and facilities applicable to that level in the Government of India. However, the government reserves its right to place deserving appointees at an appropriate level within the scale of pay. All appointees shall be deemed to be public servants for the purpose of the CCS (Conduct) Rules and such other statutes as notified by the government from time to time. The employment contract can be terminated by either side with a minimum notice period of three months. The shortlisted candidates will be called for a personal interaction with the selection committee. The last date for receipt of applications is July 30.<doc-sep>The Central government has opened up 10 joint secretary level posts through lateral entry. (File) The Central government has opened up 10 joint secretary level posts through lateral entry. (File) The central government has announced opening up 10 senior-level bureaucratic posts in several departments through lateral entry to people working in the private sector. The move, which is receiving bouquets and brickbats, will pave the way for participation of private sector professionals in policymaking and implementation of government programmes. Advertisements published in leading newspapers Sunday stated that the government was looking for 10 “outstanding individuals”, even from the private sector, with expertise in the areas of revenue, financial services, economic affairs, agriculture, cooperation and farmers’ welfare, road transport and highway, shipping, environment, forests and climate change, new and renewable energy, civil aviation and commerce. These positions are usually filled by officers selected through Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams. What does issuing such a decree of opening up a major post like this for the private sector mean? Here are ten things you should know: 1. NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant expressed his appreciation for this move and spoke about how government officials should also be allowed to work with the private sector. Niti’s experience with lateral entry has been extremely good.They bring in a vast number of fresh & vibrant ideas.This move in Govt was long overdue & I welcome it.Will catalyse UPSC entrants to specialise. Govt must also allow deputation of its officers to private sector as well — Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) June 10, 2018 2. If you’re 40 years old and above as on July 1, 2018 and hold a minimum of 15 years of work experience, you can apply depending on your field of interest and expertise which include revenue, financial services, economic affairs, agriculture, cooperation and farmers’ welfare, road transport and highway, shipping, environment, forests and climate change, new and renewable energy, civil aviation and commerce. 3. People who have been officers with State/UT government, or at a comparable level in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), autonomous bodies, statutory organisations, universities, recognised research institutes as well as private sector companies, consultancy and multinational organisations. 4. Once selected, the person will hold the position for three years, extendable up to five years depending on the performance and will draw a salary as applicable to a joint secretary working at the same level according to Level 14 of the pay matrix. 5. This is not the first of a kind move as the government had already appointed two secretaries on contract- for drinking water and sanitation and Ayush who were recruited in a similar manner. C Chandramouli, secretary (personnel) was referring to Parameswaran Iyer, who took voluntary retirement from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and then returned from the US to head the Narendra Modi government’s flagship Swachh Bharat Mission and was last year, appointed secretary in the drinking water and sanitation ministry for two years. 6. The decision received a lot of flak as it allows people from the private sector to be deemed as a public servant for the purpose of CSS (Conduct) Rules. Sitaram Yechury, Communist Party of India (CPI-M) leader, called the order an opportunity to include Sanghis in government positions to fill IAS ranks. Why are time-tested UPSC and SSC being sought to be undermined? To fill IAS ranks with Sanghis and undermine reservation too, in the BJP’s last few months in office. pic.twitter.com/J26fl5BFYO — Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) June 10, 2018 7. Congress spokesman P L Punia said lateral entry was a way to “sabotage” the system “so that RSS-BJP and some corporate houses can directly influence the government from the inside”. “Also, the advert says it is open to Indian nationals, whereas usually it is Indian citizens,” Punia had told The Indian Express. ALSO READ | Govt opens up 10 joint secretary-level posts to private sector, Opposition calls it opportunity for ‘sanghis’ Bihar Leader of Opposition and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said the government had made a joke out of the Constitution. 8. There have been mixed reactions from IAS officers and other government officials, with a few acknowledging it to be a step forward, whereas some called it an indifferent move. Keshav Desiraju, former Secretary to Government of India, told The Indian Express that “lateral entry is a good idea but we must not give up on the advantages various services bring to policymaking and governance.” Lateral recruitments to the posts of Joint Secretary in Govt of India notified. May the best talents from outside nurture public services. — Ashok Khemka (@AshokKhemka_IAS) June 10, 2018 GoI is looking for talent, please apply:https://t.co/PVWZF3HNxA — Sanjeev Sanyal (@sanjeevsanyal) June 10, 2018 9. Countering the opposition’s charges, Minister of State (MoS) in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh said the decision to introduce lateral entry to 10 joint secretary posts was an endeavour on part of the government to give every Indian a chance to grow. “It’s an endeavour to get the best from whichever source available. It’s motivated with focus on allowing every Indian citizen a fair chance to ensure their growth depending on their potential,” ANI quoted Singh as saying. 10. Indian netizens took to Twitter to express their opinion that recorded mixed reactions. While some expressed dismay and vented frustration, some were happy about standing an equal chance to assist in policy making and implementation. No. In this era of ”jugaad” it may not be possible to get genuine experts for the post of joint secretaries. This is good news for people with political links and a lot of money for bribe. — poornima (@01poornima001) June 11, 2018 I totally support GoI decision to allow lateral entry of professionals at Joint Secretary level. It’ll make the services more competitive and force IAS to specialise. New ideas will come in. And the fun part, that those who couldn’t enter IAS when young, find a crack in the wall! — Shah Faesal (@shahfaesal) June 10, 2018 The last date for applications is on July 30, 2018 and a separate portal at http://lateral.nic.in has been created through which the applications are being received.<doc-sep>The government has invited candidates from the private sector to apply for joint secretary-level positions through lateral hiring. In a first, the Centre on Sunday opened to the private sector the option to apply for joint secretary-level positions in the Government of India. These vacancies are usually filled by qualified individuals after they clear the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination. “The Government of India invites talented and motivated Indian nationals willing to contribute towards nation-building to join the government at the level of joint secretary,” the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said in a notice as well as in newspaper advertisements. Joint secretaries play a crucial role in senior managements in government departments. They lead policy-making decisions as well as the implementation of schemes of the department assigned to them. Joint secretaries report to the secretary or additional secretary of the respective ministries. What led to the decision? Bureaucratic positions have traditionally been filled by officers from all-India services, such as officers from the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Railway Service, Indian Police Service and Income Tax Service. “The proposal of lateral entry is aimed at bringing in fresh ideas and new approaches to governance and also to augment manpower,” the DoPT said in its notification. Given the shortage of officers at the joint secretary level, lateral recruitment is a welcome change. The move appears to have drawn from a recommendation of the Shashi Tharoor-led Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs. In May 2016, it had recommended expanding the pool of applicants for the posts of ambassadors and high commissioners to beyond officers of the Indian Foreign Service and invite “eminent persons who have excelled in the field of community affairs, diaspora issues, foreign policy, area studies, literature, journalism etc”. Earlier, NITI Aayog had also recommended lateral entry of professionals as joint secretaries to tackle the shortage. On Sunday, chairman of the NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant praised the DoPT’s decision. “NITI’s experience with lateral entry has been extremely good,” he tweeted. “They bring in a vast number of fresh and vibrant ideas. This move by the govt was long overdue and I welcome it. Will catalyse UPSC entrants to specialise. Govt must also allow deputation of its officers to private sector, as well.” Niti’s experience with lateral entry has been extremely good.They bring in a vast number of fresh & vibrant ideas.This move in Govt was long overdue & I welcome it.Will catalyse UPSC entrants to specialise. Govt must also allow deputation of its officers to private sector as well — Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) June 10, 2018 Who can apply? Specifying the qualifications required to apply for the 10 vacancies, the DoPT has invited applicants with expertise in revenue, financial services, economic affairs, agriculture, road transport, shipping, environment, new and renewable energy, civil aviation and commerce. Private sector professionals above 40 years of age, with 15 years of work experience and expertise in these fields are eligible to apply. They have till 30 July to apply online. Selected candidates will be hired on three-year contracts and paid between Rs 1.44 lakh and Rs 2.18 lakh per month. Their contracts could also be extended based on their performance, and once hired as a joint secretary, they can enjoy perks such as government accommodation and vehicle. Applicants from the public sector will be appointed on deputation, but candidates from the private sector will be hired on a contract basis.<doc-sep>The lateral recruitment to senior government posts has been discussed for a long time but has been implemented for the first time. (Photo: Reuters) The government has announced vacancies for ten senior-level posts for private sector professionals as well. According to a circular issued by the Department of Personnel and Training, the "government is looking for ten (10) outstanding individuals with expertise in areas of Revenue, Financial Services, Economic Affairs, Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmer's welfare, Road transport and Highways, Shipping, Environment, Forest and Climate change, New and Renewable energy, Civil aviation, Commerce". The lateral recruitment to senior government posts has been discussed for a long time but this is the first time it has been implemented. The eligibility criteria includes "individuals working at comparable levels in Private Sector Companies, Consultancy Organisations, International/Multinational Organisations with a minimum of 15 years' experience". The period of contract for these posts will be for three years from the date of commencement of service, extendable up to five years depending upon performance. Joint Secretaries are at a crucial level of senior management in the government of India and lead policy making as well as implementation of various programmes and schemes of the department assigned to them. They report to the secretary/additional secretary in the ministry or department and are normally appointed from all India services like the IAS, IPS, IFS and other allied services. The government's decision is being hailed as a welcome step. Speaking to news agency ANI, Minister of State (MoS) Jitendra Singh said, "It's an endeavour to get the best from whichever source available. It's motivated with focus on allowing every Indian citizen a fair chance to ensure their growth depending on their potential." IAS officer Ashok Khemka has also praised the decision. Lateral recruitments to the posts of Joint Secretary in Govt of India notified. May the best talents from outside nurture public services. Ashok Khemka (@AshokKhemka_IAS) June 10, 2018 The announcement received a mixed response with many supporting the decision saying that this will reform policy formation in India. The much talked and debated reform is here now. Lateral entry to government at Joint Secretary level. Hope this reform will usher an era of good policy formulations and without getting into the trap of spoil system. pic.twitter.com/WYKqC2H6iu Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) June 10, 2018 I totally support GoI decision to allow lateral entry of professionals at Joint Secretary level. It'll make the services more competitive and force IAS to specialise. New ideas will come in. And the fun part, that those who couldn't enter IAS when young, find a crack in the wall! June 10, 2018 While many hailed the decision, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said that this announcement is like making a joke of the government. Sharing his thoughts via a tweet, Tejashwi said that this announcement is a violation of the constitution and the reservation policy. (With inputs from PTI)<doc-sep>
The government on Sunday in an official release announced the lateral recruitment to senior positions in the Government of India. In a historic first, the Modi-led government has opened doors of bureaucracy to skilled workers from private sectors. The government on Sunday in an official release announced the lateral recruitment to senior positions in the Government of India. In its release, the Department of Personnel and Training said that the Government is looking for ten outstanding individuals with expertise of more than 15 years in fields like Revenue, Finance, Transport, Civil Aviation and Commerce. The applicant has to be 40 years of age as on July 1, 2018, and that he or she must be a graduate from a recognised university or institute. While candidates from state governments and Central or state public sector undertakings will be appointed on deputation, the candidates from private sector will be appointed on contract basis, the notification said. Those working at comparable levels in private sector companies, consultancy organisations, international or multinational organisations with a minimum of 15 years experience can also apply. Selected applicants shall be placed at the beginning of the pay scale as applicable to a joint secretary, which is Rs 1,44,200-Rs 2,18,200 per month. In addition, they shall be eligible for all allowances and facilities. The shortlisted candidates will be called for a personal interaction with the selection committee. The last date for receipt of applications is July 30. The move is massive as it’s the first time that the government has opened its doors for a senior management position to non-civil servants. The recruitment will be done on contract basis for three to five years. The posts are also open to officials of any state or union territory government who are already working at equivalent level, and individuals working at comparable levels in public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies, universities and research institutes. Joint Secretaries are 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 post is usually filled through the competitive exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). However, the move has come under severe criticism from the opposition, with Congress leader PL Punia calling it a ploy to induct people with RSS leanings who would then influence government decisions. “This is being done so that people who are with RSS or BJP come on this position and will then directly influence the decisions taken by the government,” Punia said. Bihar Leader of Opposition and RJD member Tejashwi Yadav said the government had made a joke out of the Constitution and slammed the moved as a violation of the statute. “”How can this Manuvadi government sideline the UPSC and appoint whoever they like to important posts like joint secretaries without conducting exams? This is a violation of the constitution and reservation. Tomorrow they will appoint a PM and cabinet without conducting elections. They have made a joke out of the constitutions,” Tejashwi tweeted. Seconding Punia, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the move was an attempt to include ‘sanghis’ in the administrative ranks. “Why are time-tested UPSC and SSC being sought to be undermined? To fill IAS ranks with Sanghis and undermine reservation too, in the BJP’s last few months in office,” Yechury tweeted. Countering the charges, Minister of State (MoS) in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh said the decision to introduce lateral entry to 10 joint secretary posts was an endeavour on part of the government to give every Indian a chance to grow. “It’s an endeavour to get the best from whichever source available. It’s motivated with focus on allowing every Indian citizen a fair chance to ensure their growth depending on their potential,” ANI quoted Singh as saying. The NITI Aayog welcomed the move to initiate lateral entry in the bureaucracy with its CEO Amitabh Kant saying it was long overdue. "NITI's experience with lateral entry has been extremely good. They (candidates) bring in a vast number of fresh and vibrant ideas. "This move in government was long overdue and I welcome it. It Will catalyze UPSC entrants to specialise. Government must also allow deputation of its officers to private sector as well," Kant said in a tweet.