Government invites applications from public, private-sector employees for joint-secy posts
In a rare move, the government has published public ads inviting applications for 10 junior secretary posts. The notification aimed at "lateral entry" invites "outstanding individuals" with relevant experience in PSUs, autonomous bodies, universities, and even the private sector, among others. While some have hailed the move, others have severely criticized it. Here are all details.
About the posts
"Joint secretaries are at a crucial level of senior management in the Government of India, and lead policy-making and the implementation of various programs and schemes of the department," the ad says. They are generally appointed through the IAS, IFS, IPS or other central services.
Requirements of the job
The government is now seeking individuals with expertise in financial services, agriculture, road transport, forest, energy, and civil aviation, among others. Candidates will need 15 years' experience and have to be aged 40 as of July 1, 2018. They will be appointed contractually for 3-5 years. They post comes with a pay scale of Rs. 1,44,200-Rs. 2,18,200 (Level 14), plus allowances.
How to apply
To register, one needs to visit www.lateral.nic.in and submit the application anytime between June 15 and 5pm on July 30. All details about the posts are available on the site. No extension of time will be given under any circumstances.
The government has roped in individuals from outside earlier too
This is the first time such an organized policy is being implemented for hiring at senior levels, but the government has looked outside its arena for hiring outsiders before too. In 1993, Tata Group's Russi Mody was made Air India chief. In 2002, former BSES CMD RV Shahi was made Power Secretary. The UPA brought in Infosys' Nandan Nilekani to lead the Aadhaar project.
Move hailed as "revolutionary" by some factions
NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant and former vice-president Arvind Panagaria welcomed the move. Kant said it'll "catalyze UPSC-entrants to specialize." "Hope India's best minds will rise to the occasion and come to serve," Panagaria tweeted. Praising the decision, Keshav Desiraju, former secretary to the government, added a warning: "It needs to be seen who's doing the selection, because the system can be easily misused."
IAS officer who's been transferred 51 times hails the decision
Opposition cries foul at "unconstitutional" move
The opposition, meanwhile, slammed the government. "I strongly oppose the move...to bring RSS cadet in...Reservation is main casualty," said CPI(M)'s TK Rangarajan. "This is unconstitutional and anti-reservation. Someday they'll appoint a PM...without an election," said RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. Congress spokesman PL Punia said this was a way for "RSS-BJP and some corporate houses" to "directly influence the government from the inside."
