Controversy Surrounds as Trainee IAS Officer Puja Khedkar breaks silence Over Alleged Misuse of Quotas and Power

Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar has recently come under intense scrutiny following allegations of misuse of power and violation of appointment rules. Fresh reports suggest that Khedkar secured admission for her MBBS degree using the OBC non-creamy layer quota, which has added fuel to the ongoing controversy.

Allegations of Quota Misuse on IAS Officer Puja Khedkar

According to sources quoted by India Today TV, Khedkar was admitted to Pune’s Kashibai Navale Medical College for MBBS under the OBC Nomadic Tribe-3 category, a quota reserved for the Vanjari community. At the time of her admission, her father was a serving bureaucrat in Maharashtra. Reports claim that Khedkar’s admission bypassed the Common Entrance Test (CET) score, instead being based on the college’s private entrance examination.

However, Arvind Bhore, the director of Kashibai Navale Medical College, stated that Khedkar was admitted in 2007 through the CET and that her medical fitness certificate did not mention any disability.

Examination of Disability Certificate of IAS Officer Puja Khedkar

Khedkar’s non-creamy OBC status and her Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) certificate have come under scrutiny. She applied for a PwBD certificate from Pune in August 2022, but her request was reportedly turned down by doctors. Despite this, Khedkar’s father, Dilip Khedkar, maintains that her disability certificate is legitimate, citing vision impairment and a verified mental illness as qualifying conditions.

Response to Allegations

Puja Khedkar has responded to the allegations by expressing confidence that the truth will prevail. She stated that she will testify before the central committee probing the charges and believes that the committee’s decision should be acceptable to all. She emphasized that her focus as a probationer is on her work and learning, and she refrained from making further comments on the ongoing investigation.

Background and Further Controversy

Khedkar’s controversy began with allegations of high-handedness during her probationary period at the Pune district collectorate. She reportedly made demands for separate office space, an official vehicle, and other privileges, leading to her abrupt transfer to Washim district.

Her father, a retired bureaucrat who contested the Lok Sabha elections, had declared property worth ₹40 crore in his poll affidavit, raising questions about the legitimacy of Puja’s non-creamy layer certificate.

Government Investigation

The Centre has constituted a single-member committee to re-examine the documents submitted by Puja Khedkar for her candidature in the civil services examination and subsequent IAS selection. Khedkar has reiterated her trust in the investigation process and stated that any decision will be open to public scrutiny.

The controversy surrounding Puja Khedkar highlights the complexities and sensitivities involved in the use of quotas and the scrutiny faced by public servants. As the investigation continues, Khedkar remains focused on her duties while awaiting the committee’s findings.