If you
are a private sector professional above 40 years of age and with 15 years of
work experience in any of the ten fields like economic affairs, civil aviation
or commerce, the Narendra Modi government may hire you as a joint secretary.
This “lateral entry” exercise is aimed at “bringing in fresh ideas and new
approaches to governance and also to augment manpower”, says the government.
The Centre has opened ten such positions for
lateral entry in as many ministries and departments. The selected individuals
will be given three-year contracts — extendable to five years based on
performance — in key ministries and given the pay scale of a joint secretary
which is from Rs 1.44 lakh to Rs 2.18 lakh per month, plus perks like
government accommodation and vehicle. Individuals working in private sector
companies, consultancy firms and international or multinational organisations
are eligible to apply.
There is a shortage of joint secretary-level
officers at the Centre and a committee of secretaries, as well as the NITI
Aayog, recommended lateral entry of professionals as joint secretaries to fill
this gap. The post has been the domain of all-India service officers from the
IAS, IRS, IPS and Income Tax Services.
"The Government of India is looking for
ten outstanding individuals with expertise in the areas of revenue, financial
services, economic affairs, agriculture, cooperation & farmers’ welfare,
road transport & highways, shipping, environment, forests and climate
change, new & renewable energy, civil aviation and commerce. The Government
of India invites talented and motivated Indian nationals willing to contribute
towards nation-building to join the government at the level of joint
secretary,” the government said in a note.
Those who are interested need to apply online
by July 30, 2018.
Joint secretaries, who report to the secretary
or additional secretary in the ministry or department where they are posted,
are at a crucial level of senior management in the government, the note said.
“They lead policymaking as well as the implementation of various programmes and
schemes of the department assigned to them.”
Officers of any state or union territory
administration who are already working at an equivalent level or eligible for
appointment to an equivalent level in their cadre with relevant experience, are
also eligible to apply for these posts. Individuals working at comparable
levels in public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies, statutory
organisations, universities and recognised research institutes with a minimum
of 15-year experience can also apply. Such candidates shall be appointed on
deputation (including short-term contract) with a lien in the parent department.
For those joining from the private sector, the
appointments will be on contract. “All appointees shall be deemed to be public
servants for the purpose of the CCS (Conduct) Rules and such other statutes as
notified by the government from time to time. The employment contract can be
terminated by either side with a minimum notice period of three months. The
shortlisted candidates will be called for a personal interaction with the
selection committee,” the government said.
