Government Cancels Lateral Entry Scheme Amid Push for Social Justice

The Union Government has cancelled the latest UPSC advertisement for lateral entry into the bureaucracy, reflecting PM Narendra Modi's commitment to social justice and reservation principles. Opposition leaders hailed the decision, emphasizing the importance of maintaining reservation rights for marginalized communities.

In a significant move, the Centre has instructed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to withdraw the latest advertisement for lateral entry into government services. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision as a testament to his commitment to Babasaheb's Constitution and principles of social justice.

Minister Vaishnaw emphasized, "Today, PM Modi has reflected his commitment to Babasaheb's Constitution through an important decision to implement reservation principles in the transparent method of lateral entry in UPSC. The Prime Minister has always shown his dedication to social justice." He criticized the previous UPA government for not considering reservation principles.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi of the Congress, have celebrated the decision as a victory. Gandhi asserted, "We will protect the Constitution and the reservation system at all costs. By breaking the 50% reservation limit, we will ensure social justice based on the caste census."

The directive to cancel the lateral entry advertisement was issued by the Department of Personnel and Training Minister, Jitendra Singh, who cited the Prime Minister's insistence on aligning the lateral entry process with social justice and equity principles.

The controversial scheme had faced opposition from leaders like Akhilesh Yadav, MK Stalin, and Sitaram Yechury, who argued it undermined reservation rights for OBCs, SCs, and STs.

Singh's letter reiterated the need for deserving candidates from marginalized communities to receive rightful representation in government services, highlighting the Prime Minister's belief in reservations as a cornerstone of social justice. The government aims for a transparent, institutionally driven reform of the lateral entry process to uphold constitutional mandates.