The recent controversies surrounding IAS Officier Puja Khedkar have raised many questions and sparks. She is being investigated for allegedly misusing her official position and submitting fictitious disability and caste certificates to pass the civil services exam. An extensive investigation is being called for. Khedkar’s parents have also been involved in the recent controversies. Here’s all you should know.
Controversies Around Puja Khedkar
Well, one of the controversies Puja Khedkar, a candidate for the Civil Services Examination-2022 and previous CSEs is involved in is regarding UPSC exams. She claimed to be from the non-creamy layer and mentioned her sight and mental problems in order to pass the IAS under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Problems (PwBD) categories. The Maharashtra government and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) have duly noted her offenses and behavior. To confirm Dr. Khedkar’s candidacies and other information, the Center has formed a single-member Committee under the direction of the Additional Secretary to the Government of India. In two weeks, the committee is expected to present a report.
Medical Tests And Reports
Dr. Khedkar had not completed testing at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to verify her PwBD condition. The UPSC opposed Dr. Khedkar’s selection to the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which decided against her. However, she was still admitted. She is accused of lying about her vision and mental problems in order to be eligible for the PwBD category. Khedkar postponed the medical testing approximately four times. One of her reasons is the COVID-19 infection. Furthermore, she fails to qualify for the non-creamy layer of the OBC category because her parents’ yearly income exceeds the Rs 8 lakh limit.
Khedkar’s Misconduct And Misuse Of Power
Dr. Suhas Diwase, the district collector of Pune, has already reported her actions at the Pune Collectorate to Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik and Additional Chief Secretary (Services), Nitin Gadre, who oversees the General Administration Department (GAD). In addition to living quarters, a car, a separate cabin with an attached bathroom, and a peon which is typically not granted to POs, Dr. Khedkar had made certain demands.
While Additional Collector Ajay More was on leave, she was also observed utilizing his office. An inquiry into Dr. Khedkar’s suspected usage of blue and red beacon lights and installing a “Maharashtra Government” emblem on a private vehicle—an Audi with a VIP registration number has been requested by Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar.
In addition to the issue of utilizing the beacon light, she was charged with 21 traffic violations. There are also reports that she reportedly pressured Navi Mumbai’s Deputy Police Commissioner Vivek Pansare to release a thief, a transporter, who had been caught by Panvel police. However, it could not be independently verified.
Puja Khedkar’s Family
Puja comes from a family of influential bureaucrats. Khedkar’s father, Dilip Khedkar, is a politician formerly a government officer in Maharashtra. In the Pathardi tehsil of Ahmednagar, Dr. Khedkar’s mother, Manorama Khedkar, is the Sarpanch of Bhalgaon village. Jagganath Budhavant, Khedkar’s maternal grandfather, was also an IAS official. Khedkar is from a science background, unlike people in her family.
Dilip Khedkar stood in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Ahmednagar for the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, and in affidavits given to the Election Commission, he said that his wealth is Rs 40 crore, while Manorama Khedkar’s assets are roughly Rs 18 crore.
Controversies Around The Family Of Puja Khedkar
Now- IAS trainee ofcr Puja Khedkar’s mother, Manorama Khedkar’s 2mnth old video surfaced, threatening farmers with a pistol to forcibly acquire their land.
This entire family looks fraud. Why this offcr is not sent on leave till the inquiry is concluded?pic.twitter.com/NGJiPfoD6H
— The Hawk Eye (@thehawkeyex) July 12, 2024
Dilip Khedkar reportedly threatened and intimidated government employees. A video of Manorama Khedkar emerged online. She was seen wielding a gun while shouting with others over what looked to be a property dispute.
Dilip Khedkar Defends Puja Khedkar
In a recent interview, Dilip Khedkar, father of Puja Khedkar defended her daughter.
“All I can say is that someone is deliberately trying to make it an issue.” “The matter is subjudice and a committee has been appointed to look into it. Let us all wait for the final verdict” he stated.
When asked whether Puja applied under the creamy layer or non-creamy layer category, her father replied it would be inappropriate to comment while legal processes were continuing.
“We will present our case to the committee,” UPSC has rigorous rules. It involves a medical board of 20–25 people at the hospital, and it is impossible to submit fraudulent documents.” he continued.
