Dr Manmohan Singh was a “Lateral entrant” in 1972, says Govt.

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Dr Manmohan Singh was a “Lateral entrant” in 1972, says Govt.

"We are following a better policy” asserts PMO

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, July 4

The government showed the mirror to the Opposition parties on the question of “lateral entrants” in the bureaucracy directly saying previous governments appointed as many as 20 persons directly. Giving out details, the government said even Dr Manmohan Singh was brought in 47 years ago in 1972 as Chief Economic Adviser and made Finance Secretary in 1976.

As if this was not enough, the government today riggled out details of many such lateral entrants including Montek Singh Ahluwalia who was appointed as Economic Adviser in 1979, Vijay L. Kelkar as Secretary in Petroleum ministry in 1994 and later Finance Secretary in 1998 and Bimal Jalan as Finance Secretary in 1991. Dr. Shankar Acharya was appointed as Chief Economic Advisor in 1993 and Rakesh Mohan as Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs in 2004 and Arvind Virmani as Chief Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Finance, in the year 2007. Shri Ram Vinay Shahi was appointed as Secretary in the Ministry of Power in 2002.

The government responded when the issue was raised by the Opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha questioning the rational behind the move to bring 40 lateral entrants in one go without any norms etc.

The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi was present when the issue was raised. But he fielded his junior Dr Jitendra Singh, MoS in the PMO who strongly defended it saying such practice existed for decades together and the Modi government had inducted only six or seven persons.

Dr Singh made it clear that while no norms were followed earlier in bringing the lateral entrants, the Modi government wants to bring in the best of the talent from whichever source available and to augment the availability of the personnel. “We have only streamlined the process” he added.

He said the earlier governments did it with the best of the intentions. “Now, this has to be further streamlined because we gain by experience and also learn to improve with the passage of time.” The process was conducted through Union Public Service Commission and for ten posts of Joint Secretary, more than 6000 applications came.

Manas Ranjan Bhutia and D Raja questioned the Modi government's move to hire directly at the level of Deputy secretary and above through NITI Aayog and UPSC.

NCP may join Congress-led Front Sharad Pawar to be its Convener

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Exclusive report 

NCP may join Congress-led Front Sharad Pawar to be its Convener

Nitish, Yechury, Gowda, Mamata agree

  

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, April 21

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is seriously considering a proposal to join a front of like-minded Opposition parties. The NCP which quit the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) three years ago, is being wooed by the Congress, CPM and the Janata Dal leadership to play a pivotal role in this hour of crisis and strengthen Opposition parties.

According to indications available here one of the suggestions doing the rounds is that instead of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), a new joint front be formed of like-minded secular parties. This front should be formed early so that enough time is available to put up a credible challenge to the BJP before 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

It is also suggested that  Sharad Pawar be made Convener of this Joint front. Of course, Sonia Gandhi will be named chairperson of this new outfit and Nitish Kumar will also hold a key position in this proposed outfit.

If reports are to be believed, Sonia Gandhi is keen that Sharad Pawar play pivotal role in bringing all Opposition parties together as he has the capability to do so. Though some senior Congress Party leaders were trying to put a spanner in the move. But Sonia Gandhi snubbed them saying that the country was facing a grave crisis and unity of the Opposition parties is needed.

When asked Praful Patel told Lokmat, “ We are talking and various proposals are over the table. I have nothing more to say on the issue as of now. Let’s see”

Sitaram Yechury was also guarded in his comments and said, “ we are working to bring all like-minded forces together.”

However, the NCP leaders told categorically that Opposition unity should not be one-shot affair (for President’s polls). But it has to be with a long term perspective and unity should be with open mind and heart. Obviously, the NCP leadership is hurt that the Gandhis never trusted Pawar.

However, times have changed and it was Congress vice President Rahul Gandhi who had taken the first initiative in March itself when he drove down to the residence of Sharad Pawar signaling that a “thaw” is possible after the two parties parted company three years ago. Later, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury held a meeting with Pawar and Praful Patel.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who met Sonia Gandhi yesterday, emphasized the creation of a new front. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, CPI leader D Raja and others have met Sonia Gandhi recently. Mamata Banerjee flew down to Bhuvneshwar to meet the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to explore possibility to have a working relationship to strengthen the Opposition because Congress is the principal Opposition party in the state. Janata Dal (U) general secretary K C Tyagi is going to Bengaluru to meet Janata Dal (S) leader H D Deve Gowda on Saturday.