NEW DELHI: Just days after Congress President Rahul Gandhi slammmed the Modi-led government of attempting to saffronise the Indian bureaucracy, the Center has sought applications for Joint Secretary level jobs, a mid-ranking position usually filled through the Union Service Public Commission route (UPSC).
The government on Sunday in an official release said it is looking for 10 “outstanding individuals” even people from the private sector to senior positions in the Government of India. It means even a non-civil servants with the pro-RSS think-tank or any other private entities with remote RSS links will also be eligible to apply.
Titled as ‘LATERAL RECRUITMENT TO SENIOR POSITIONS IN GOVERNMENT OF INDIA,’ the advertisement by the Department of of Personnel and Training said, “The Government of India invites talented and motivated Indian nationals willing to contribute towards nation building to join the Government at the level of Joint Secretary.” It then went on to explain the role of Joint Secretaries stating ‘Joint Secretaries are at a crucial level of senior management in the Government of India.’
“They lead policy making as well as implementation of various programmes and schemes of the Department assigned to them. Joint Secretaries report to the Secretary/Additional Secretary in the Ministry/ Department,” the ad said.
As for the eligibility, the ad said, “Officers of any State/UT Government who are already working at equivalent level or are eligible for appointment to equivalent level in their cadre, with relevant experience. Individuals working at comparable levels in Public, Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Autonomous Bodies, Statutory Organisations, Universities, Recognized Research Institutes with a minimum of 15 years experience.”
The move sparked a controversy and elicited angry response from activists and journalists and leaders of Opposition parties.
Novel way for BJP Central Govt to bring those with RSS backgrounds into the govt.
Who will decide ? How will they finally be chosen ? What is the true criteria ?
No, I don’t mean what’s been put out in writing … my guess is they already have names of those who will make it. pic.twitter.com/ZwEOu93b5k— Nivedith Alva (@nivedithalva) June 10, 2018
This is absolutely ridiculous & stupid and Will not stand the scrutiny of courts! If no one challenges this idioticity to take away from merit then I along with with aspirants & ppl in service will go to court on this . This is the corporatization of bureaucracy. pic.twitter.com/sVhHDlMRiy
— Tehseen Poonawalla Official 🇮🇳 (@tehseenp) June 10, 2018
Why are time-tested UPSC and SSC being sought to be undermined? To fill IAS ranks with Sanghis and undermine reservation too, in the BJP's last few months in office. pic.twitter.com/J26fl5BFYO
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) June 10, 2018
“How can this Manuwadi government ignore UPSC and appoint people they like in posts as important as that of a joint secretary without any exam? This is a serious violation of both the Constitution as well as reservation criteria,” Yadav tweeted.
“Tomorrow they will appoint the prime minister and the Cabinet without elections. They have made a joke of the Constitution,” he said.
यह मनुवादी सरकार UPSC को दरकिनार कर बिना परीक्षा के नीतिगत व संयुक्त सचिव के महत्वपूर्ण पदों पर मनपसंद व्यक्तियों को कैसे नियुक्त कर सकती है? यह संविधान और आरक्षण का घोर उल्लंघन है।
कल को ये बिना चुनाव के प्रधानमंत्री और कैबिनेट बना लेंगे। इन्होंने संविधान का मजाक बना दिया है। pic.twitter.com/8shIHodMew
— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) June 10, 2018
Earlier Rahul Gandhi had warned the students against the government’s plan to “appoint” officers of RSS’s choice into the Central Services.
In his tweet along with a letter issued by a Joint Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training, he wrote: “Rise up students, your future is at risk! RSS wants what’s rightfully yours. The letter below reveals the PM’s plan to appoint officers of RSS’s choice into the Central Services, by manipulating the merit list using subjective criteria, instead of exam rankings,” Gandhi tweeted.