Lateral Entry in Civil Services, Artificial Rain to mitigate Air Pollution, Fixed-Dose Combination (FDC) Drugs

(General Studies II – Polity & Governance Section – Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.)

• Lateral entry into civil services refers to the process of recruiting professionals from outside the traditional civil services cadre to fill specialized roles within the government.
• The idea is to bring in experts with domain-specific knowledge to address complex issues that require specialized skills, which may not be sufficiently available within the existing bureaucratic structure.
• The debate around lateral entry has gained prominence in recent years, particularly with the government’s move to hire professionals directly for positions like Joint Secretaries, Directors, and Deputy Secretaries.
• While some argue that this is necessary to modernize and enhance the efficiency of the Indian administration, others raise concerns about the implications for traditional civil servants, as well as issues related to reservations and transparency.

Benefits of Lateral Entry –

1. Expertise in Specialized Fields: One of the key advantages of lateral entry is the ability to bring in individuals with deep expertise in specific domains such as disaster management, technology, finance, and public health. Traditional civil servants, who are generalists, may lack the specialized knowledge required for formulating policies in these areas.
2. Fresh Perspectives: Lateral entrants often come from the private sector or academia, bringing with them new ideas and approaches that can invigorate government functioning. This can lead to more innovative and effective policymaking.
3. Bridging the Skill Gap: As the complexity of governance increases with technological advancements and global challenges, the government requires skills that may not be prevalent within the existing bureaucracy. Lateral entrants can fill this gap and help the administration keep pace with rapid changes.
4. Faster Decision-Making: Individuals with experience in leadership roles outside the government may bring a more dynamic approach to decision-making, cutting through bureaucratic delays and pushing for timely implementation of policies.

Limitations and Concerns –

1. Bypassing Reservation Policies: One of the major criticisms of lateral entry is that it bypasses the traditional reservation system in place for SCs, STs, OBCs, and other marginalized groups. This has led to accusations that lateral entry may disproportionately benefit certain sections of society, while excluding others who have traditionally been underrepresented in government.
2. Undermining Career Civil Servants: Lateral entrants may be seen as a threat to career civil servants who have spent years working their way up the ranks. This could lead to dissatisfaction and demotivation among existing bureaucrats, as their promotion prospects may be affected.
3. Lack of Administrative Experience: While lateral entrants may have domain expertise, they may lack the administrative experience needed to navigate the complexities of government functioning. This could result in challenges when it comes to implementing policies on the ground.
4. Risk of Politicization: There is a concern that lateral entry could be used as a tool for political patronage, with appointments being made based on loyalty rather than merit. This could undermine the neutrality and integrity of the civil services.

Way Forward –

1. Balanced Approach: Lateral entry should be seen as a complement to the existing system, not a replacement. It is essential to strike a balance between bringing in external expertise and ensuring that career civil servants continue to have clear growth opportunities.
2. Transparent Selection Process: To address concerns about politicization and favoritism, the selection process for lateral entrants should be made transparent and rigorous. This could include a combination of written exams, interviews, and assessments of domain-specific knowledge.
3. Incorporating Reservation Policies: The government should ensure that reservation policies are adhered to even in lateral entry positions. This could involve reserving a certain percentage of positions for candidates from marginalized communities.
4. Targeted Training: Lateral entrants should undergo training to familiarize themselves with the administrative structure and processes of the government. This would help bridge the gap between their domain expertise and the practical demands of public administration.
5. Performance Evaluation: A robust system of performance evaluation should be put in place for lateral entrants, ensuring that their contributions are in line with the expectations and needs of the government.

Lateral entry in civil services, if implemented with caution and fairness, can be a valuable tool for enhancing the expertise and efficiency of the Indian administration. However, it is essential to address the concerns related to transparency, reservation policies, and the integration of lateral entrants with career civil servants. By adopting a balanced and transparent approach, lateral entry can contribute to a more effective and responsive government, capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century.

• An insect-borne virus, similar to the mosquito-borne dengue virus, called oropouche, has been spreading rapidly in South America.
• The virus has now crossed continents, with cases emerging in the US and Europe, regions previously unaffected.
• Oropouche, also known as sloth fever, primarily spreads through the bite of infected biting midges, a type of fly, and occasionally through mosquitoes.
• First detected in 1955 in Trinidad and Tobago, the virus has historically circulated in parts of South America.

• The virus’s unique RNA structure, consisting of three segments, allows for genetic mutations that may enhance its ability to infect, spread, and resist drugs.
• India, while not yet affected, should remain cautious and implement preventive measures to avoid potential outbreaks.

Dig Deeper: Compare it with Tick-borne diseases like Rickettsial fever.

• The Delhi government’s Winter Action Plan will likely include measures such as artificial rain, a work-from-home policy, a ban on vehicles in pollution hotspots, and awareness campaigns to change citizens’ behaviour.
• Artificial rain, or cloud seeding, is a weather modification technique that enhances rainfall by dispersing substances like silver iodide or sodium chloride into clouds.
• These agents serve as nuclei for water vapour to condense around, forming larger droplets that eventually fall as rain.
• Seeding agents are delivered via aircraft or ground-based methods to promote droplet formation.
• Warm cloud seeding uses salt, while cold cloud seeding uses silver iodide for ice crystal formation.
• It’s used for drought relief, supporting agriculture, and improving air quality.
• Artificial Rain increases rainfall by 10-30% but depends on existing cloud conditions and has potential environmental concerns.

Dig Deeper: Read about various Air Pollution control technologies.

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed that Qualified Stock Brokers (QSBs) offer clients the option to trade in the secondary market using a UPI-based block mechanism, similar to the ASBA facility.
• UPI Block Mechanism allows clients to trade based on blocked funds in their bank accounts without transferring money upfront to the trading member.
• The UPI block facility is optional for investors and not mandatory for Trading Members to offer.
• The UPI block mechanism mirrors the ASBA facility in the primary market, where funds are moved only upon allotment.
• QSBs may also offer a ‘3-in-1 trading account facility’ as an alternative to making the ASBA-like facility mandatory.

Dig Deeper: Read about the Code of Conflict of Interest in the context of SEBI.

• The Union Health Ministry has banned 156 Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) medicines, including antibiotics, painkillers, and multivitamins, citing health risks.
• FDCs combine two or more active ingredients in a single dosage form.
• Many of these drugs were approved by state authorities without sufficient research or clinical trials to ensure their safety.
• The 2019 clinical trial rules classify FDCs as new drugs, requiring central drug regulator approval.
• The ban aims to prevent the development of drug resistance due to irrational use and curb the misuse of medications.
• An expert committee appointed by the Central Government found no therapeutic justification for the banned FDCs, noting that safer alternatives are available.
• Examples of Banned FDCs: Mefenamic acid + Paracetamol injection, Cetirizine HCl + Paracetamol + Phenylephrine HCl, Levocetirizine + Phenylephrine HCl + Paracetamol.

Dig Deeper: Read about The Drugs & Cosmetics Act, of 1940 and New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules 2019 in contexts of drugs and cosmetics regulation.