Lateral Entry: A Long-Standing Practice, Key Figures Appointed Through ‘Backdoor’ Positions

Lateral Entry Appointments: The opposition is criticizing the government for appointing people to key positions through “backdoor” methods, known as lateral entry. In response, the government has stated that lateral entry has been a practice since the time of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. They pointed out that Congress governments also used lateral entry, so the question arises—why wasn’t this issue raised back then? Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, emphasized that lateral entry was common during the tenures of Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi. He added, “Dr. Manmohan Singh was also a product of lateral entry. How else did he become Finance Secretary in 1976? But Prime Minister Modi has now systematized this process.”

Defending SC/ST Interests: Meghwal further explained that the Modi government is committed to protecting the interests of SC, ST, and OBC communities. He mentioned that an advertisement for lateral entry was released on August 9, which led to some confusion. However, after SC/ST BJP MPs met with the Prime Minister, clarity was provided, and the issue was addressed in the same day’s cabinet meeting.

History of Lateral Entry: The practice of lateral entry has a history in India. The Second Administrative Reforms Commission, chaired by Congress leader Veerappa Moily, had recommended lateral entry. The idea was to fill key roles in civil services with experts in specific fields, based on merit.

Notable Lateral Entry Appointments:

• Manmohan Singh: Appointed as an advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Trade in 1971. Later became Finance Minister in 1991 and served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014.
• Sam Pitroda: Appointed as an advisor for Public Infrastructure and Innovations in the 1980s.
• Bimal Jalan: Served as Chief Economic Advisor from 1977 to 2003.
• Kaushik Basu: Appointed as Chief Economic Advisor in 2009.
• Arvind Virmani: Served as Chief Economic Advisor from 2007 to 2009.
• Raghuram Rajan: Also served as Chief Economic Advisor.
• Montek Singh Ahluwalia: Chaired the Planning Commission from 2004 to 2014.
• Nandan Nilekani: Appointed as Chairman of UIDAI in 2009.

Government Retracts Advertisement: Recently, the opposition claimed that the government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, backtracked on the lateral entry issue due to their protest and decided to withdraw the related advertisement. They also accused the BJP of trying to end reservations.

In response, Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh wrote to UPSC Chairperson Preeti Sudan, asking to cancel the advertisement to ensure proper representation of weaker sections in government services.

The controversy also coincided with a nationwide strike called by the SC/ST Morcha in protest against the Supreme Court’s decision on creamy layer and sub-categorization within SC/ST reservations. Political parties like the Samajwadi Party and BSP supported the strike. While the government asserts it is working for the benefit of SC and ST communities, the opposition and protesters remain skeptical.