Last Updated on 19/08/2024 by Arun jain
BJP ally and Union minister Chirag Paswan has strongly criticised any initiative for government appointments that goes against the principles of reservation. He said there is no ifs and buts in this. He stressed that such provisions are necessary in government jobs. He said he will raise this issue with the central government.
Chirag Paswan’s statement has come at a time when opposition parties are attacking the Centre over lateral entry in UPSC. The opposition alleges that through such provisions, an attempt is being made to snatch away the reservation of backward castes.
What did Union Minister Chirag Paswan say?
Chirag Paswan said, “There should be a provision for reservation in any government appointment. There is no doubt about it. There is no reservation in the private sector and if it is not implemented in government posts as well… this information came to me on Sunday and it is a matter of concern for me.”
Also read: ‘Privatisation of IAS is a guarantee to end reservation…’, Rahul Gandhi lashes out at the Centre over lateral entry in UPSC
Chirag Paswan said that as a member of the government, he has the platform to raise this issue and he will do so. The Union Minister also said that as far as his party is concerned, it is not in support of such a measure at all.
UPSC has announced recruitment for 45 posts
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has recently announced recruitment for 45 posts through lateral entry on contract basis. These include 10 posts for joint secretaries and 35 posts for directors or deputy secretaries. This move of the commission is being strongly opposed.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), have alleged that this is a deliberate attempt by the BJP to end the reservation policy and recruit allies to key posts.
The government defended the lateral entry system
In response to the criticism, the BJP defended the lateral entry initiative, saying it was aimed at increasing transparency in recruitment processes introduced under the previous Congress-led UPA government.
Also read: ‘Reservation is being taken away…’, said Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on direct recruitment through UPSC
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav termed the Congress’ opposition as hypocritical and pointed out that the lateral entry initiative was proposed by the UPA’s second Administrative Reforms Commission. He said that the NDA government is respecting and implementing these recommendations in a transparent manner to improve the quality of governance.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)