New Delhi: The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr Jitendra Singh today asked the UPSC Chairman Preeti Sudan to cancel the advertisement for lateral recruitment of Joint Secretary, Director and Deputy Secretary level posts on contract basis.
The Union Public Service Commission on Saturday advertised vacancies for 45 key posts – including ten joint secretary and 35 director/deputy secretary-level posts – through lateral entry.
The UPSC advertisement states that recruiting for all 45 positions will be on a contract basis for three years, which can be extended to five years depending on performance. The deadline to submit applications is September 17.
The move that has been described by the opposition parties as a “well-planned conspiracy” to keep out reservations in senior Union government posts.
In a two-page letter, Dr Singh said since these positions have been treated as specialized and designated as single-cadre posts, there has been no provision for reservation in these appointments. This aspect needs to be reviewed and reformed in the context of the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s focus on ensuring social justice. Hence, I urge the UPSC to cancel the advertisement for lateral entry recruitment issued on August 17, the letter said. Lateral Entry.