Opposition criticises lateral entry, calls it attempt to 'undermine' SC, ST reservation

NEW DELHI: The Centre's decision to notify lateral entry to 10 vacant posts of joint secretaries in the government triggered a flutter among the political class. Some leaders alleged that the government's move was aimed at filling the ranks with those who looked favourably on the government of the day.

Bihar's leader of opposition, Tejashwi Yadav also criticised the move and alleged the government will now appoint "favourites" through the lateral entry process. Referring to the move as "unconstitutional" and "anti-reservation", Tejashwi said the government had made a joke of the constitution. "Tomorrow, they will appoint the Prime Minister and Cabinet without holding polls," he alleged.

Alleging that the move would undermine reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes as well as the backward classes, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said, "BJP's attempt to subvert SC, ST and OBC reservations in the IAS is not the first. They have done the same for university professors as well, through similar devious methods. This, when we need more affirmative action, not less."

The CPM also saw in the announcement a conspiracy to subvert the "time-tested UPSC and SSC" and alleged that the government will try to "fill IAS ranks with Sanghis and undermine reservation too, in the BJP's last few months in office."

Announcing that he will challenge the decision in the court, Congress' Tehseen Poonawalla referred to the decision to allow lateral entry into services as "amongst the last few nails that will end our democracy," and claimed that the country is "heading towards being taken over by a fascist government &their corporates."

Even as reactions from the civil servants were largely guarded, Odisha MP Bijayant Jay Panda welcomed the decision. On Twitter, Panda said, "This is a big deal. I had anticipated (& welcomed) this possibility in speeches/writing when i saw a cpl of yrs ago that IAS grip on JS+ posts was broken with surge in appts from other allied cadre svcs. Now true lateral entry will open up the bureaucracy with real world talent. (sic)"