Differences In NDA3.0 : Jolt To BJP, Union Minister Chirag Paswan Says Matter Of Concern As He Slams Lateral Entry Move By Centre

Bharatiya Janata Party ally and Union Minister Chirag Paswan slammed any move for appointments in government positions without following reservations and asserted that he would raise the lateral entry issue with the Centre.

The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president’s reaction came over the recent advertisement to fill posts through lateral entry on a contract basis that the opposition has alleged snatches away reservations for the disadvantaged communities.

“Reservation provisions must be there in any government appointment. There is no ifs and buts in this. No reservation exists in the private sector and if it is not implemented in government positions as well… The information came up before me on Sunday and it is a matter of concern for me,” he told PTI.

Paswan said as a member of the government, he has the platform to raise the issue and he would. The Union minister also said that as far as his party is concerned, it is absolutely not in support of such a measure.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) last Saturday advertised 45 posts — 10 of joint secretaries and 35 of directors/deputy secretaries — to be filled through the lateral entry mode on a contract basis. It is the biggest tranche of lateral recruitment being undertaken by the Centre, an official said.

Opposition parties slammed the move, claiming it would snatch reservations from SCs, STs and OBCs. The BJP hit back, stating the NDA government was bringing transparency to this mode of recruitment started by the Congress-led UPA.

The Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) also alleged that it was a “conspiracy” by the BJP to appoint its ideological allies to high posts through the back door.