Lateral entry into civil service in focus

The possibility of providing lateral entry into the Indian civil service was discussed at a colloquium on Saturday.

Organised by the Centre for Leadership and Management in Public Services (C-LAMPS), most of the panelists supported the lateral entry, but questioned on how  ‘open’ was Indian civil services system to accept it.

S Selva Kumar, Principal Secretary and Mission Director of National Rural Health Mission, said that lateral entry might become a political tool as politicians would appoint the persons whom they wish.

 However, he said that lateral entry would be a ‘welcome trend if transparency was ensured in the recruitment and performance was up to expectations’.

Dr Samuel Paul, Chairman of the Public Affairs Centre, questioned on what if those who get in through lateral system get disillusioned and not being different from the incumbent?

“If the lateral entry on permanent basis is to work, we need to have a performance evaluation by conducting screening, when one moves from one level to another. Those who are no more required should be eliminated,” Dr Samuel said.

Stating that there were 26 Secretaries in the Government of India, who were not IAS officers, former Additional Chief Secretary K Jairaj observed that lateral entry would be relevant in special areas like space and technology, DRDO etc. While Vinay Luthra, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests batted for a relook into the entire system.

Mentioning that countries like UK, Australia, New Zealand have inducted lateral entry through open competition, Prof Nayana Tara of IIM, Bangalore, said “With liberalisation and globalisation, we need new set of skills in bureaucracy which are outward looking, progressive, responsive, citizen-oriented and accountable.”

Prof Rajeev Gowda, Chairman of Centre for Public Policy, IIM, Bangalore, said fresh blood and talents might enter into the system through later entry.