IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Responds to Allegations of Misusing Disability and OBC Quotas

GG News Bureau
Washim, 13th July. Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who faces accusations of misusing benefits under the physical disabilities category and the OBC quota to secure her position, has responded to the allegations, stating that she will register her response with the probing panel formed to investigate her candidature.

Khedkar, currently on probation and recently transferred from Pune to Washim, refrained from commenting further, citing procedural protocols. “I am not authorized to say anything to the media. I will give my submissions before the committee. I will follow the procedure,” she stated.

The Centre has set up a committee to probe the allegations against Khedkar. Addressing the media on this development, Khedkar said, “I have come to know from you (media reports) that a committee has been formed regarding the case going on against me. We all should respect what has been done.” She emphasized that she will provide all necessary information to the committee and is not at liberty to disclose details publicly.

On Thursday, Khedkar took charge as an assistant collector at the Washim District Collectorate in the Vidarbha region, amid ongoing controversies. The 32-year-old officer, who was transferred due to allegations of bullying and entitled behavior, expressed her commitment to her new role. “I am happy to join duty at the Washim District Collectorate and am looking forward to working here,” she said.

During her tenure in Pune, Khedkar faced allegations of aggressive treatment of junior staff, illegal occupation of the additional collector’s ante-chamber, and violations related to using a red beacon on her Audi car. The Pune police found the gates of her bungalow locked when they went to inspect the vehicle for these violations.

The transfer followed a request by Pune district collector Suhas Diwase to state additional chief secretary Nitin Gadre, seeking Khedkar’s posting to another district to avoid “administrative complications.” Diwase highlighted Khedkar’s aggressive behavior and violations as reasons for the request.

“Probationer Puja Khedkar joined the district collector’s office for training purposes as per the order of the Maharashtra State government. She will be learning with various government departments during her training period,” Washim district collector Buveneswari S said.

Khedkar, a 2023 batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, faces further scrutiny as the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has sought a report on the matter from the Pune collector. The investigation continues as the probing committee gathers evidence and testimonies related to the allegations against her.