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 government notification said that 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. While candidates from state governments as well as 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. The NITI Aayog welcomed the move, 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 catalyse UPSC entrants to specialise. The government must also allow deputation of its officers to private sector as well," Kant said in a tweet. Congress Spokesperson P.L. Punia told IANS that there is a time-tested efficient system of recruitment of IAS and officers in other services, which is foolproof. Training is given keeping in mind the government's requirement and they are all brilliant brains. "This is just to sabotage the efficiently-running system and with a view to take people from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Bharatiya Janata Party and some industrial houses. So that they can directly influence the decision-making of the government," he said. Punia, a former IAS officer, said they (government) have also written in the advertisement that it is for 'Indian nationals'. Normally, it is open to Indian citizens. "What do they mean by 'nationals'? Why have they not mentioned 'Indian citizens' but 'Indian nationals'. So, we will have to examine whether they have something else in mind -- whether they want to include NRIs," he said. Asked if he suspected foul play, the Congress leader said: "Yes". --IANS bns-sid/tsb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)<doc-sep>Read also: Details of posts (With inputs from PTI) Read this story in Bengali Private sector employees can now apply for top Modi govt posts NEW DELHI: In its bid to attract talent from public and private sectors, the Modi government has invited applications for 10 posts of joint secretaries in different ministries under its “lateral entry” scheme.As per the criteria fixed by the government, the applicant must be of 40 years of age as on July 1 and a graduate from a recognized university or institute. Higher qualifications would be an added advantage. They will be appointed for three years and the government can also extend the contract to up to five years. To ensure that highly professional persons apply for the job, the selected candidates will be offered a salary of Rs 1.44 lakh to Rs 2.18 lakh per month and would also get allowances and facilities as applicable to the equivalent level in the Central government.The posts for which the government has issued advertisements are revenue, financial services, economic affairs, agriculture, road transport, shipping, environment and forest, civil aviation and commerce.The government has specified that officers of any state/ UT who are already working at equivalent level or are eligible for appointment to equivalent level in their cadre, individuals working at comparable levels in PSUs, autonomous bodies, statutory organisations, universities, recognized research institutes with a minimum of 15 years experience can apply. Individuals working at comparable levels in ‘private sector companies, consultancy organisations, international/ multinational organisations with at least 15 years’ experience can also apply for these posts.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. "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.Read this story in Marathi<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 Narendra Modi government has invited job applications from "talented and motivated" individuals, even from private sector, for ten Joint-Secretary level posts in several departments. According to a newspaper advertisement, the government is looking to hire people with expertise in 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. The initiative is being called lateral recruitment to senior positions in the government. "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," a circular issued by the Department of Personnel and Training said. Applicants for the Joint Secretary posts should be minimum 40 years of age and with a bachelors' degree from a recognised university or institute. Higher qualifications will be given preference in the recruitment process. They will be hired on contractual basis for a period of three years from the date of commencement of service. This can be extended up to five years depending on performance. Individuals working in private sector companies, consultancy organisations, international or multinational organisations at comparable levels as Joint Secretary with a minimum of 15 years experience are eligible to apply. Officers of any state or Union Territories government who have relevant experience and are already working at an equivalent level or are eligible for appointment to equivalent level in their cadre can apply too. Senior officials working with public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies, statutory organisations, universities, recognised research institutes with a minimum of 15 years of experience are eligible too. 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 as applicable to the equivalent 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. 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. (With PTI inputs)<doc-sep>
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.