Maharashtra probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar is under scrutiny for alleged misuse of power and forgery. She reportedly demanded privileges such as a separate office, a car with a VIP number plate, and a house before assuming her as Assistant Collector in Pune, which are not entitled to a trainee officers. Recently, she was transferred from Pune to Washim on July 8.
IAS Puja Khedkar Controversy
Khedkar, a 2023 batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, is also accused of misusing benefits under the physical disabilities category and OBC quota to secure her civil services position. When questioned about these matters, the 32-year-old trainee stated, “The government rules do not allow me to speak on anything on this matter. So I cannot speak.”
Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding her wealth and assets, including 110 acres of agricultural land, 6 plots, 7 flats, 900 grams of gold and diamonds, a gold watch worth Rs 17 lakh, 4 luxury cars, and property worth Rs 17 crore. She has also faced allegations of not meeting the eligibility criteria for the OBC non-creamy layer and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) categories under which she appeared for the UPSC exam.
Khedkar’s father, Dilip Khedkar is a retired administrative officer, reportedly pressured the district collector’s office to ensure that the trainee IAS officer’s demands were fulfilled.
Dilip Khedkar, who ran in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on a Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi ticket, declared in his election affidavit that his wealth was valued at Rs 40 crore.
“As per the rules, only those come under the OBC non-creme layer category whose parents are under 8 lac per annum of income.”
In addition to that, according to PTI, Reports alleged that Puja Khedkar had submitted a certificate claiming mental illness. In April 2022, she was instructed to appear at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, for verification of her disability certificate. But, she did not attend it, citing a Covid infection.
RTI Activist Demands Probe on Puja Khedkar
Pune RTI Activist Vijay Kumbhar demanded a serious investigation on this issue, and raised questions against her eligibility. “A detailed investigation must be done on how she was appointed as an IAS officer in that category.”
Kumbhar also claimed that according to his research Khedkar’s father’s affidavit in the Lok Sabha elections indicated a wealth of Rs 40 crore and an annual income of Rs 49 lakh. He argues that these figures disqualify her from the OBC non-creamy layer category, demanding a detailed investigation into her IAS appointment.
Puja Khedkar secured an All India Rank 821 in the UPSC exams, is a 2023 batch IAS officer.
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