"Government Approach Wrong": Ex Law Minister On Lateral Entry Row

Mr Moily lamented a "mindset" problem in the government, stressing, "People in authority should not have the impression SC, ST, or OBC candidates are not competent."

Former Law Minister Veerappa Moily has called for the creation of a central statutory body or authority to oversee 'lateral entry' recruitment into the higher ranks of the civil services, arguing the current approach cannot ensure selection of truly qualified individuals to top posts.

Lateral entry refers to recruitments from outside service cadres, such as the Indian Administrative Service, to fill mid and senior-level positions in central, or state, ministries.

Mr Moily had initially endorsed the concept during his chairmanship of the second Administrative Reforms Commission, which published a report in 2005 recommending lateral entry, but as the result of a structured process to ensure unbiased recruitment of 'people of expertise' into senior positions.