June 12, 2018
Necessary to have wider debate and discussion: Mamata Banerjee on lateral entries into senior govt positions
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today reacted to the recent media reports suggesting that the Government of India has invited applications for appointment to the post of Joint Secretary of 10 important ministries of Government of India through lateral entries.
She said that in her view, there is no objection if talented persons join the Central Government to improve its professional competence and efficiency. But she had a few concerns about the issue involving various implications.
“The officers from All India Services/Central Services presently hold positions of Joint Secretary and equivalent levels in the Government of India. These officers are inducted in government services through transparent recruitment processes by Constitutional bodies like the UPSC. The officers are expected to be politically neutral while discharging their duties. Any shift from such standard will not be good for the nation,” she wrote on her Facebook page.
Presently, the officers of All India/Central Services have been working in the government with sincerity and accountability and maintaining secrecy, where the paramount interest of the nation remains supreme. In view of it, I feel that any deviation from the system, particularly by inducting professionals from non-governmental sector, notwithstanding their talent may dilute the sensitivity attached to the functioning of the government,” the Chief Minister wrote.
Mamata Banerjee said that it is necessary to have wider debate and discussion with different stake-holders, including representatives of the All India Services/Central Services, before implementing the proposed induction of lateral entries into senior positions of the government.
