Union Minister Defends Lateral Entry in Bureaucracy Amid Congress Criticism

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw defends the government's initiative of lateral entry into senior bureaucracy against Congress's claims. He asserts that this practice has been ongoing since the 1970s, including during Congress-led governments, and will not impact the recruitment of SC/STs in all India services.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has defended the government’s initiative of lateral entry into senior bureaucracy, countering Congress's claims that it could affect the recruitment of SC/STs in all India services.

Vaishnaw highlighted that lateral entry isn't a new concept, citing past instances during Congress-led governments, including the appointments of Manmohan Singh and Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

The Minister emphasized that the current set of 45 posts for lateral entry represents just 0.5% of the Indian Administrative Service’s cadre strength and will not impact the roster of any service.