The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie has issued an order calling back the controversial probationary IAS, Ms. Puja Khedkar, for “further necessary action.” Ms. Khedkar has sent shockwaves across the circles of Indian bureaucracy and millions of aspirants through her alleged “shenanigans” while being posted as the Super Numerary Assistant Collector in Pune.
The order from Maharashtra’s General Administrative Department to Officer Khedkar read, “You are hereby relieved from the District Training Programme of the State Government of Maharashtra.” The 2022-batch IAS officer has been ordered to “join the academy at the earliest” but not later than July 23rd.
Officer Khedkar, an IAS Officer under training, has become a subject of intense discourse over the internet and national television after allegations arose that she had lied about her mental and visual condition, through “fraudulently” obtained certificates from the District Civil Hospital in Ahmednagar, to secure an officer’s post despite an unremarkable score in the ultra-competitive qualifying exam. Ms. Khedkar was “diagnosed” with Locomotor Disability and a 7% permanent disability concerning her left lower limb. She also obtained a second certificate which covered both low vision and mental illness (depression).
The conundrum was fueled when it was learnt that Ms. Khedkar, while going through the selection process for an IAS post, had refused to undergo a mandatory medical test to confirm her disabilities six times in a row! It is pertinent to mention that she had secured an All India Rank of 821 under the Physical Disability (PWD-5) category in the 2022 UPSC exams. Last week, the Union government established a one-member committee to verify Officer Khedkar’s candidature and instructed it to submit a report within two weeks. If proven guilty, Officer Khedkar will be sacked.
The entire fiasco unfurled after she made demands for a separate cabin and staff during her Pune posting. She demanded a red-blue beacon light, a VIP number plate, along with a ‘Maharashtra government’ board affixed to her private Audi car. The Chaturshringi traffic police division sent her a notice asking for the car to be brought for verification. The car was handed over to the police after removing the beacon and the stickers. The Audi had multiple pending e-challans, worth Rs 26,000 against 21 challans, issued against traffic violations — later paid off by the family’s driver.
IAS Puja Khedkar Lodges Harassment Complaint Against Pune Collector Suhas Diwase:
An official stated, “Women police personnel visited Khedkar at her residence in Washim on Monday and she lodged a complaint of harassment against Pune district collector Suhas Diwase (2009-batch IAS officer).”
This development adds another layer of complexity to the fiasco as it is reported that Ms. Khedkar was transferred to Washim as a supernumerary assistant collector from Pune after Officer Diwase submitted a report to senior officials about her conduct such as allegedly demanding the facilities which she, as a trainee IAS official, was not entitled to, and occupying the ante-chamber of another senior official.
