SEEKING REFORM IN LATERAL ENTRY?
SHOUDN’T BE MORE PRACTICAL?
GOVT. NEEDS TO BE MORE PRACTICAL
Modi government has entered into the last year of its current tenure. It is obvious that this year would also mark the 2019 election preps. All the huge and stern decisions taken by the centre clearly demonstrate that it is the decision of a government with full majority which is far from any kind of compulsion and constraints of a coalition. On the same pitch, Modi government recently has announced a near to revolutionary decision. Introducing a lateral entry for the post of joint secretary for 10 departments and abolishing the compulsion of cracking the UPSC exams, the government has, thereby, opened the way for the officers in private sector along with the deserving and enthusiastic candidates who can really help out in nation’s development. This is, moreover, eyed as a direct entry in the civil services and is alleged by the opposition as a take to abolish reservation and a planning to admit “Sanghis” (RSS Workers) in the government.
Actually, only the candidates, who have successfully passed the UPSC civil services exams, were entitled to be admitted on government’s such vital posts, uptill now. However, the brainstorming and discussions over the lateral entry in bureaucracy has been in scene since 2005. A report on governmental amendments had earlier advocated this proposal but rejected. Although, recommended in 2010, But, Modi government took a step forward and formed a committee that gave a green signal to the proposal.
But, amidst the government’s logics and the opposition’s allegations, the question that arises is as to what change these 10 lateral servants will make to a prevailing filthy system of bureaucracy that is merely a servant to the politicians today. Akhilesh Yadav talking about officers carrying cup and plates and the plight of bureaucrats in Mayawati’s tenure is something which is hidden from none. Even the Delhi Chief Secretary has been openly assaulted by the AAP MLA’s in the recent times. A Civil servant is no more than a political servant. Although, the Article 312 and 320 of the constitution entitles them with a constitutional protection. In this situation, the decision taken by the government seems to be politically beneficial but is not salutary for the system. But, the reason why the opposition’s campaign looks just a formality to put just an allegation on the centre lies in the fact that, no matter which government is in the centre, bureaucracy has been used and assaulted by all.
Whether it was Russi Mody being made the Air India Chief or R.V. Shahi being entitled with the portfolio of Energy Secretary. Manmohan singh, Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Nandan Nilekani were also placed at high positions when Congress was in rule, and a non IAS has also been appointed as the cabinet secretary in the Mayawati government. Then, the ethical right to raise a question on the Modi government’s decision doesn’t rests upon the opposition even. But there lies a dire need to bring a considerable change in this “bureaucracy” introduced by the early Britishers which was designed to safeguard the British Colonial System. Government need to bring a paradigm shift in the bureaucracy so that the logics which are used for reforms may sound practical.