Union Minister Jitendra Singh has confirmed that the lateral entry process has not been suspended, addressing concerns about the specialist appointment program. According to reports from The Earth News, Singh stated there is no such order suspending the process when questioned about the status of lateral entry during a press conference on Wednesday. The minister emphasized that consultation is going on with all stakeholders, not limited to just stakeholder ministries, as he addressed the presser on the '12 Years' Achievements of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions'. Singh clarified that the consultation process extends 'not with the stakeholder ministries alone, in fact with everybody' (concerned) involved in the program.
As reported by The Earth News, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) Secretary Rachna Shah revealed that lateral entry has been conducted in three cycles, resulting in 63 officers being appointed across different government departments. Shah noted that two-thirds of these specialists are still in the government and contributing as specialists. The program has been structured with 35 officers on contract basis and 28 on deputation from 2019 to 2023. The appointment of specialists, including those from the private sector, in government departments aims to enhance expertise and efficiency across various departments.
According to the minister's statement reported by The Earth News, Singh described lateral entry as an important initiative taken by the government. Secretary Shah emphasized that regular consultation is happening on the program, indicating the government's commitment to maintaining this specialist appointment mechanism. The program allows for the appointment of specialists, including those from the private sector, in government departments to enhance expertise and efficiency. The minister's clarification comes amid previous developments where the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) had in August 2024 cancelled its advertisement to fill key posts in government departments through lateral entry, amid a political row over the lack of a reservation provision for those positions.
