Chirag Paswan Criticizes Lateral Entry in UPSC, Calls for Reservation Protections

Patna: BJP ally and Union Minister Chirag Paswan has voiced strong opposition to any appointments to government posts that bypass reservation policies. On Monday, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president made it clear that he would challenge the lateral entry recruitment process of UPSC, which he believes undermines the principle of reservation in government jobs.

“There must be a provision for reservation in any government appointment. There are no ifs and buts in this. There is no reservation in the private sector, and if it is not implemented in government posts as well, it is a matter of concern for me,” Paswan stated.

Speaking to PTI-Bhasha, Paswan emphasized his intention to raise the issue with the Centre, utilizing his position within the government to advocate for the preservation of reservation policies. He further noted that his party, the LJP (Ram Vilas), does not support the lateral entry process.

This controversy arose after the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) advertised 45 posts last Saturday, including 10 positions for Joint Secretaries and 35 for Directors/Deputy Secretaries, to be filled through lateral entry on a contractual basis.

Opposition parties have condemned the move, arguing that it effectively eliminates reservation opportunities for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). The BJP, however, has defended the initiative, claiming it brings transparency to a recruitment method originally introduced by the Congress-led UPA government.

Meanwhile, the Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have accused the BJP of using lateral entry to covertly appoint individuals aligned with its ideology to high-ranking government positions.