In a significant development, the Nashik divisional commissioner has issued a notice to Puja Khedkar, a dismissed IAS probationer, questioning why her non-creamy layer certificate should not be canceled. The notice follows allegations regarding the authenticity of multiple non-creamy layer certificates she had obtained, which she reportedly used to enhance her merit ranking under the OBC category in the UPSC exams.
A senior officer in the divisional commissioner’s office confirmed the issuance of the notice as media reports suggest.
A scrutiny of the non-creamy layer certificate presented by Puja Khedkar was conducted following allegations that she had procured multiple such certifications. Based on certain reports, a notice was issued to her asking why her certificate should not be canceled. Khedkar has been asked to appear for a hearing on March 25 in Nashik to present her side.
The non-creamy layer certificate, which is granted to OBC candidates with a family income below Rs 8 lakh annually, allows individuals to access government jobs, educational admissions, and scholarship programs.
Earlier, media had reported that Khedkar had submitted a non-creamy layer certificate to Shrimati Kashibai Navale Medical College in 2007 for her MBBS admission under the OBC quota. The certificate was issued by the Pathardi sub-division office in Ahmednagar. Furthermore, Khedkar declared herself as belonging to the non-creamy layer OBC category when appearing for the UPSC exams on October 6, 2021. However, questions were raised after it was revealed that her father, Dilip Khedkar, a retired state government employee who contested the recent Lok Sabha elections, had declared assets worth Rs 40 crore in his affidavit.
In response to the notice, Dilip Khedkar stated, “We have received a notice from the divisional commissioner regarding the hearing of the OBC non-creamy layer certificate. We are attending the hearing on March 25.” He emphasized that the media reports regarding the non-creamy layer certificate were based on incorrect information. “Puja Khedkar fulfills all the OBC criteria mentioned in the government resolution (GR). As per the GR, the parents’ income from salary, agriculture, and the candidate’s income are not included in the criteria for deciding the OBC non-creamy layer status,” he argued.
Khedkar also clarified that the current market value of his family’s property was irrelevant to determining the non-creamy layer status. “The property values mentioned in the news are not the purchase values,” he added. Addressing concerns about his own employment, he noted that while he had worked as a Class 1 officer, he was not directly recruited in Class 1, which would have made Puja ineligible for the non-creamy layer status under the GR.
Dilip Khedkar further denied allegations that his daughter had submitted forged documents to the UPSC for reservation benefits. “None of the certificates are forged, and they were issued by the competent authorities,” he asserted.
The notice from the Nashik divisional commissioner and the ongoing scrutiny of Khedkar’s non-creamy layer certificate have raised important questions regarding eligibility and certification processes for reservation benefits. The outcome of the March 25 hearing will determine the future course of action in this case.
