The Eknath Shinde government has transferred 32-year-old IAS Trainee Puja Khedkar from Pune to Washim. The 2023 batch IAS officer courted the spotlight with unfavourable colour when the news of her behaviour unbecoming of an officer was revealed. The assistant collector felt entitled to seek an official car with a beacon at the top, a VIP number plate, and an official chamber with additional staff, in contravention of the rules that do not allow a probationer such privileges. Ms Khedkar is transferred as Supernumerary Assistant Collector at Washim from her present posting of Assistant Commissioner.
The social media criticism of the outrageous behaviour of the officer peaked when photographs of her private luxurious Audi car with a beacon on top and the Maharashtra Government inscribed in red appeared. People demanded to know a probationary officer could use such a car let alone afford it.
The action against Puja Khedkar comes in the wake of Collector Suhas Diwase writing to Chief Secretary Nitin Gadre regarding the issues concerning impropriety by the officer. In the letter, the collector asked for action against Ms. Khedkar for her aggressive treatment of junior staff. Apart from affixing the beacon light to her private car, the new IAS officer usurped the ante-chamber of Additional Collector Ajay More to use as her office when he was away on official duty.
There are reports that her father, Dilip Khedkar, an ex-bureaucrat, trying to intimidate the collectorate staff by claiming mistreatment of her daughter and threatening consequences. The Collector’s letter to his superiors also mentioned that “In this entire episode, Puja Khedkar’s father’s behaviour is objectionable and deserves action.”
Dr. Puja Manorama Khedkar cleared the IAS examination with All India Rank 821. She first joined as an Indian Revenue Service officer ( IRS) in 2020 but cleared the IAS exam. She was selected under the handicapped (visually impaired) category.
She filed a plea against the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, claiming that a person with a disability faces greater hardships than SC/ST candidates.
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