Probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who is currently facing scrutiny for seeking special privileges and faking certificates, joined the Washim district administration on July 11 to complete her training. Activists are calling for a thorough investigation into her recruitment. In response, the Centre has formed a single-member committee, led by a senior officer at the Additional Secretary level, to verify her claims and details. The committee will submit its report within two weeks.
Puja Khedkar, a probationary IAS officer from the 2022 batch, has been at the center of a controversy in Pune, leading to her abrupt transfer to Washim district in central Maharashtra. She was posted as an assistant collector in Pune.She secured an All India Rank of 821 under the Physical Disability (PWD-5) category in the UPSC exams.
The controversy started after she was making VIP demands, including the use of her private Audi car fitted with a red-blue beacon light and VIP number plate, along with a ‘Maharashtra government’ board affixed to the vehicle. According to reports, Khedkar had also sought separate accommodation, a cabin, car, residential quarters, and a peon even before officially joining her duties on June 3. However, authorities informed her that such privileges were not applicable during her probationary period, and that accommodation would be provided accordingly.
