Pune trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, already in hot water for allegedly using questionable means to secure her position, has now come under fire for owning immovable property worth Rs 17 crores and earning Rs 43 lakhs annually before her appointment. The controversy surrounding her has only intensified after Pune District Collector Dr Suhas Diwase raised concerns about her behavior, leading to her being transferred to Washim.
Khedkar, a probationary IAS officer of the 2023 batch of Maharashtra cadre, is facing allegations of obtaining her position through a controversial disability certificate. It has also been revealed that her father, a candidate from Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, declared a non-creamy certificate despite owning assets worth Rs 40 crores.
The Department of Personnel and Training disclosed that Khedkar had property worth Rs 17 crores and an annual income of Rs 43 lakhs before joining the service. She reportedly demanded special treatment at the office, including a cabin next to the collector and using luxury vehicles with beacon lights.
She passed the UPSC examination under the ‘Visually Impaired’ category and submitted a certificate claiming a ‘mental illness’ to secure the IAS position, raising questions about the authenticity of her certificate. Her property declaration form revealed significant holdings, further adding to the controversy.
RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar expressed concerns about the selection process and called for transparency and accountability in appointments to ensure the credibility of examinations like UPSC. The controversy surrounding Khedkar highlights the need for a thorough investigation and action to maintain the integrity of the administrative services.
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