IAS Puja Khedkar controversy: IAS officer Puja Khedkar, currently embroiled in allegations of power misuse, stated on Friday that she is not authorized to comment on the controversies involving her and her family. The probationary assistant collector said she would present her submissions before the committee and adhere to the proper procedures.
“I am not authorized to say anything to the media. I will give my submissions before the committee. I will follow the procedure,” Khedkar told the media.
The 2023-batch IAS officer, still on probation, became the center of controversy after pictures of an Audi car with a ‘Maharashtra government’ board and a red-blue beacon went viral on social media. She allegedly demanded separate house and car privileges not available to junior officers and is also accused of illegally occupying the chamber of an additional collector.
Additionally, Khedkar faces severe charges that question her selection process in the civil services. She allegedly misused benefits under the physical disabilities category and the Other Backward Class (OBC) certificate.
Vijay Kumbhar, a Pune-based RTI activist, raised concerns about Khedkar’s appointment, alleging that the trainee IAS officer did not qualify for the OBC non-creamy layer as claimed during the recruitment process. Kumbhar asserted that her father has assets worth ₹40 crore.
The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions stated that a committee chaired by a senior officer of the rank of Additional Secretary to the Government of India will verify her candidature claims. The committee is expected to submit its report in two weeks.
Following a request from Pune District Collector Suhas Diwse, Khedkar has been transferred to Washim. Diwse had requested her posting to another district and sought action against her, reportedly writing in a report to the General Administration Department that Khedkar demanded a separate cabin, car, and residential quarters.
