The Narendra Modi government has in an unprecedented move sanctioned lateral entry of private individuals into top bureaucracy.  The government has argued that it would bring “fresh ideas and new approaches” to governance besides augmenting manpower.

In an advertisement released on Sunday, the government invited applications from “talented and motivated Indian nationals” for 10 Joint Secretary-level posts through lateral entry.

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The Joint Secretary-level posts are held by top civil servants inducted through the rigorous multi-level competitive exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). These officers make their way up to senior positions after years of experience in the government at lower levels.

“The Government of India has decided to invite talented and motivated Indian nationals willing to contribute towards nation-building to join the government at the level of Joint Secretary,” said a notification issued by the Department of Personnel and Training.

READ | Here are the 10 Joint Secretary-level govt posts up for grabs

According to the notification, the 10 posts are available in the departments of revenue, financial services, economic affairs, agriculture, road transport and highways, shipping, environment and forests, new and renewable energy, civil aviation and commerce. Applications have been invited from candidates with expertise in the specific areas.

The candidates appointed against the posts shall be placed at the beginning of the pay scale (level 14 of the Pay Matrix) applicable to regular government employees — i.e. Rs 1,44,200 to Rs 2,18,200, the department has posted on its website https://lateral.nic.in/.

In addition, they will be eligible for all allowances and facilities as applicable to the equivalent level in the Government of India.

While candidates from state governments as well as central or state public sector undertakings will be appointed on deputation, the candidates from private sector will be appointed on contract basis, the notification said.

The opposition has meanwhile called the move a ploy to fill top bureaucracy with “people from the RSS, BJP and some select industrial houses”.

“This is just to sabotage the efficiently-running system and with a view to take people from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and some industrial houses so that they can directly influence the decision-making of the government,” Congress spokesperson P L Punia told IANS.

Punia, a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer himself, said there was a time-tested efficient system of recruitment of IAS and officers in other services which was “foolproof”, and that the recruits were “brilliant minds” who were given training keeping in mind the government’s requirements.

He also pointed out that the advertisement said the positions were open for “Indian nationals”. Normally, it is open for Indian citizens.

“What do they mean by ‘nationals’? Why have they not mentioned ‘Indian citizens’ but ‘Indian nationals’. So, we will have to examine whether they have something else in mind — whether they want to include NRIs,” he said.

Asked if he suspected foul play, the Congress leader said: “Yes”.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury questioned the government’s “real intentions”.

“Why are time-tested UPSC and SSC being sought to be undermined? To fill IAS ranks with Sanghis and undermine reservation too, in the BJP’s last few months in office,” Yechury tweeted.

“BJP’s attempt to subvert Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBC reservations in the IAS is not the first. They have done the same for university professors as well, through similar devious methods. This, when we need more affirmative action, not less,” he added.

Why are time-tested UPSC and SSC being sought to be undermined? To fill IAS ranks with Sanghis and undermine reservation too, in the BJP’s last few months in office. pic.twitter.com/J26fl5BFYO

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) June 10, 2018

AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had in 2015 offered a similar suggestion to “infuse fresh energy and ideas in governance”.

Time has come to replace bureaucrats wid professionals and sector experts. Infuse fresh energy n ideas in governance

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 31, 2015

Kejriwal retweeted users posting his old tweet after the Department of Personnel and Training issued the advertisement on Sunday.

Meanwhile, NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Amitabh Kant, IAS officer himself, the move saying it was “long overdue”.

“NITI’s experience with lateral entry has been extremely good. They (candidates) bring in a vast number of fresh and vibrant ideas.

“This move in government was long overdue and I welcome it. (It) Will catalyse UPSC entrants to specialise. The government must also allow deputation of its officers to private sector as well,” Kant said in a tweet.

Niti’s experience with lateral entry has been extremely good.They bring in a vast number of fresh & vibrant ideas.This move in Govt was long overdue & I welcome it.Will catalyse UPSC entrants to specialise. Govt must also allow deputation of its officers to private sector as well

— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) June 10, 2018

Placed at a crucial level of senior management in the government, joint secretaries report to the secretary or the additional secretary in the respective ministries, and lead policy-making as well as implementation of various programmes and schemes of the department assigned to them.