New Delhi: The nine new lateral entry specialists that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) recommended Friday to the central government include IIT, IIM and Oxford alumni who have worked with the United Nations, KPMG and multinational financial organisations.
ThePrint takes a look at some of the new joint secretaries, a couple of whom have worked with government before.
The 10 month delay in selection
Over 6,000 candidates had applied for the lateral entry scheme announced by the Modi government in June last year to bring in domain experts at the Centre. Only 2 per cent of the applicants reached the interview stage earlier this month.
After a delay of 10 months, the UPSC has named the candidates, but “it’s unlikely that they would be taking over as joint secretaries before the next government comes into effect”, a top government source told ThePrint.
Another government official, who was involved in rolling out the scheme, said the results could have been held back till the model code of conduct and elections were underway, given that the appointments may take some more time to fructify.
The delay in the process had raised speculations in bureaucratic circles if the scheme would see light of day at all.
Introducing private sector talent into the government is a first for joint secretary positions, even as there have been such direct appointments before for positions of secretaries in the central government and RBI governors.
The appointments are on contractual basis.
The UPSC could not find a candidate to occupy the joint secretary position in the department of revenue, finance ministry.
Rajeev Saksena, new JS, department of economic affairs
With over 22 years of experience in financial institutions across public and private sector, Saksena currently serves as SAARC Development Fund (SDF)’s Economic and Infrastructure director.
A former banker, he has previously worked with the Indian government as well, particularly in designing and implementing IT-enabled solutions for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGA).
Amber Dubey, new JS, ministry of civil aviation
Dubey is a partner at KPMG India and heads its aerospace and defense unit. His profile on KPMG website suggests he has worked closely with the government prior to this appointment, especially with the ministries of civil aviation and defence.
He is believed to have contributed in the drafting of the National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016 and the policy framework for the Regional Connectivity Scheme. Currently, he is assisting the ministry on India’s national airport strategy and the model concession agreements for greenfield and brownfield airports.
Dubey is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, and Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
Soon after Dubey’s name was announced, several people on Twitter began to call attention to his BJP-related tweets in the past.
Congratulations India!
This @BJP4India troll, @amberdubey123 has been made the Jt Sec of Civil Aviation. ? pic.twitter.com/RrorrOnr6q— Soibal Dasgupta (@soibalspeaks) April 15, 2019
If your primary concern against gau rakshaks is not harm and terror they cause innocent people and criminality and illegality, but fact it will harm larger Hindutva cause, shows you're likely a true believer. For those following this, he's in the new group of lateral entrants. pic.twitter.com/AJelm7pHmK
— Rupa Subramanya (@rupasubramanya) April 14, 2019
Also read: There’s a drop in Muslims clearing UPSC exam this year, but it’s not all bad news
Kakoli Ghosh, new JS, department of agriculture cooperation and farmers welfare
Ghosh has previously served in the management team of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Strategic Program on “Making agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable”. She has over 15 years of experience in the agriculture sector, and holds a doctorate in Plant Sciences from the University of Oxford.
Dinesh Dayanand Jagdale, new JS, ministry of new and renewable energy
Jagdale is the chief executive at Pune-based wind energy firm Panama Renewable Group. An electronics engineer with masters in business administration, Jagdale has over 24 years of experience in electrical and renewable industry.
Sujit Kumar Bajpayee, new JS, ministry of environment, forest and climate change
In his current stint at a top public sector unit, Bajpayee serves as NHPC Ltd’s senior manager (environment). Bajapyee’s LinkedIn profile reveals he has a doctorate in environmental sciences, and has professional experience of over 18 years. He has also closely worked with the government in the past.
Bajpayee also holds an MBA degree from Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi University, and an engineering degree from IIT, Roorkee.
Also read: Before UPSC, Modi govt wanted Cabinet Secy to head lateral entry recruitment panel