Since 2018 when scheme was launched, 63 appointments have been made at level of joint secretary, director & deputy secretary on contract/deputation basis in various govt departments.
At All India Federation for Social Justice conference, he also backed women's reservations & caste-census. Other speakers included Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren & ex-CM of UP Akhilesh Yadav.
Ten years into the Modi government, non-IAS officers form the clear majority at the level of joint secretaries, but a lack of domain expertise remains a concern.
While some lateral entrants feel a sense of achievement, number of officers recruited is considered too small to have an institutional impact. Now, its future hangs in balance.
In reports and editorials through the week, global media also put spotlight on Indian-born video games and analysed US' scrutiny of India's solar exports.
Impending strike at 12 government-run ports & heartwarming story of India’s armless archery prodigy Sheetal Devi also find place in foreign media reports.
The argument that the govt wanted to induct lateral entrants to inject ‘new ideas’ does not cut much ice. Perhaps it was trying to push multiple agendas, but this has backfired.
The silver lining is that the uproar over lateral entry scheme will lead to a refined policy. With social justice added, it may now be more acceptable.
News channels were also in two minds about removing stray dogs to the government dog pounds. NDTV took credit for it and CNN-News 18 called ‘controversial order’.
Centre for Science and Environment in new report makes case for rationalising GST on waste material, saying most informal operators can’t afford high tax & it also hinders recycling.
21st edition of annual joint military exercise will be held from 1 to 16 September, aimed at sharing military tech, operational best practices & disaster relief coordination methods.
Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.
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