Centre Forms Panel To Verify Candidature Claims Of Probationary IAS Officer Puja Khedkar — All About It

The Central government has launched an investigation into allegations against probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar regarding her eligibility in the UPSC exam.

A one-member panel has been established to examine the claims that Khedkar benefited unduly from disability and Other Backward Class quotas.

The panel is led by a senior officer of Additional Secretary rank and is expected to submit its report within two weeks. as per a report by Hindustan Times.

Puja Khedkar, who had been transferred from Pune, started her new role as assistant collector at the Washim District Collectorate on Thursday (11 July).

Khedkar, a 2023-batch IAS officer with an All India Rank of 841 in the UPSC exam, has faced additional accusations.

She has been accused of improperly using a red beacon on her private Audi car, which violates service rules, and labelling the car as belonging to the Maharashtra government.

In light of the controversy, she arrived at her new position in a Bolero car and declined to comment, citing service rules.

Another report by Pune collector Suhas Diwse alleged that Khedkar demanded special accommodations, including a separate cabin, car, residential quarters, and a peon, even before officially starting her trainee duties on 3 June.

She is also accused of removing a senior official's nameplate to use his office space.

Moreover, Khedkar allegedly submitted false disability and Other Backward Class certificates to clear the civil services exam in 2022. She is also accused of providing a fake mental illness certificate.

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