The Committee will be chaired by a senior officer of the rank of Additional Secretary to Government of India and it will submit its report in two-weeks.
Puja Khedkar, a probationary IAS officer in Maharashtra, is embroiled in controversy over alleged misuse of power. Her transfer from Pune to Washim was prompted by revelations that she was using a private Audi car equipped with a siren and VIP number plate, privileges typically reserved for senior officials.
Also Read: IAS officer Puja Khedkar assumes new role in Washim amidst controversy; What you need to know
Who is Puja Khedkar?
Puja Khedkar, part of the 2023 batch of IAS officers, secured an all-India rank (AIR) of 841 in the UPSC exam. She comes from a family with a public service record, with her father, Dilip Khedkar, being a retired administrative officer. Khedkar’s recent actions have thrust her into the spotlight.
What’s the controversy?
The controversy surrounding Khedkar revolves around her use of a private Audi luxury sedan adorned with a “Government of Maharashtra” sticker and a red-blue beacon in Pune. Even before assuming the role of assistant collector, she reportedly requested official perks such as a vehicle with a VIP number plate, accommodation, a designated office with adequate staff, and a constable—benefits not typically accorded to trainee officers.Reportedly, Puja Khedkar’s father levereged his status as a retired administrative officer, put pressure on the district collector’s office to meet his daughter’s demands. This influence extended to workplace behavior, where she allegedly removed the nameplate of senior officer Ajay More at the Pune collector’s office to use the space herself.These actions, deemed as an abuse of authority, led to her transfer from Pune to Washim. As per an order issued by the Pune district collector to the Chief Secretary, Khedkar will now serve as a supernumerary assistant collector in Washim until July 30, 2025.
OBC category row
Additionally, Khedkar claimed to belong to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, which requires a non-creamy layer certificate showing an income cap of Rs 8 lakh per annum. However, her father’s election affidavit revealed assets totaling Rs 40 crore and an annual income of Rs 43 lakh, raising eligibility questions regarding her OBC status.
Reportedly, Khedkar also asserted having multiple disabilities, including a learning disability, and requested special accommodations during her UPSC examination. However, details regarding the nature and extent of these disabilities have not been verified.
RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar highlighted instances where she skipped medical examinations multiple times, citing Covid-19 restrictions.
More to come…
