Modi government junks UPSC, advertises jobs for joint secretary rank posts directly

Titled as ‘LATERAL RECRUITMENT TO SENIOR POSITIONS IN GOVERNMENT OF INDIA,’ the advertisement by the Department of of Personnel and Training said, “The Government of India invites talented and motivated Indian nationals willing to contribute towards nation building to join the Government at the level of Joint Secretary.” It then went on to explain the role of Joint Secretaries stating ‘Joint Secretaries are at a crucial level of senior management in the Government of India.’

“They lead policy making as well as implementation of various programmes and schemes of the Department assigned to them. Joint Secretaries report to the Secretary/Additional Secretary in the Ministry/ Department,” the ad said.

It further said that the central government was looking for ’10 outstanding individuals with expertise in ‘ the areas of (i) Revenue (ii) Financial Services (iii) Economic Affairs (iv) Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare (v) Road Transport & Highways (vi) Shipping (vii) Environment, Forests and Climate Change (viii) New & Renewable Energy (ix) Civil
Aviation and (x) Commerce.”

The criteria to apply for the job is that the applicants ought to be at least 40 years old. The qualification expected is of ‘graduate from a recognized University/Institute’ adding that ‘higher qualifications would be an added advantage.’

As for the eligibility, the ad said, “Officers of any State/UT Government who are already working at equivalent level or are eligible for appointment to equivalent level in their cadre, with relevant experience. Individuals working at comparable levels in Public, Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Autonomous Bodies, Statutory Organisations, Universities, Recognized Research Institutes with a minimum of 15 years experience.

“Individuals working at comparable levels in Private Sector Companies, Consultancy
Organisations, International/Multinational Organisations with a minimum of 15 years
experience.”

What this means is that even a person associated with the pro-RSS think-tank such as Vivekanand Foundation or any other private entities with remote RSS links will also be eligible to apply to become part of Indian bureaucracy and influence the government policies.

The minimum contract for this job will be of three while the remuneration will range between Rs 1,44,200 per month and Rs 2,18,200.

The government ad also clarifies that all appointees shall be deemed to be Public Servants
for the purpose of the CCS (Conduct) Rules and such other Statutes as notified by the
Government from time to time.

The news elicited angry response from activists and journalists who detected blatant attempts to install pro-Hindutva figures in key parts of bureaucracy.

Not too long ago, Congress President Rahul Gandhi had warned students asking them to rise as their future was in danger. Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plans to have his say in the service allocation of IAS officers, Gandhi had said, “Rise up students, your future is at risk! RSS wants what’s rightfully yours. The letter below reveals the PM’s plan to appoint officers of RSS’s choice into the Central Services, by manipulating the merit list using subjective criteria, instead of exam rankings.”