The Maharashtra government has transferred probationary IAS officer Dr Puja Khedkar from Pune to Washim following complaints of alleged misuse of power. She will now serve as super numery assistant collector of Washim.
This action came following a letter from Pune Collector Dr Suhas Diwase to the Chief Secretary.
“The 2023 batch IAS officer will serve the remaining period of her probation as super numerary assistant collector in Washim district,” the order stated.
Khedkar courted a controversy after seeking special privileges from the Collector’s office that were not allowed for a probation officer.
She also used her private Audi car with a red-blue beacon light and VIP number plate, creating ripples in the administration. She had also installed a ‘Maharashtra government’ board on her private car.
Khedkar also made unfair demands, which included an official car with a VIP number plate, accomodation, an official chamber with adequate staff and a constable.
As per rules, a trainee is not provided with the above amenities and is required to be appointed as a gazetted officer first.
Khedkar, however, did not stop at this. She also occupied the ante-chamber of additional collector Ajay More when he was away and put up a board with her name.
Khedkar, who secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 841 in UPSC, even removed all the materials, including chairs, sofas, tables, without the prior consent of the additional collector.
She then instructed the revenue assistant to provide a letterhead, visiting card, paperweight, nameplate, royal seal, intercom in her name.
Khedkar’s father, a retired administrative officer, also reportedly pressured the District Collector’s office to fulfil his daughter’s demands and warned the officers of repercussions.
RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar said Puja Khedkar became an IAS officer from the OBC non-creamy layer category, but her father’s election affidavit showed his wealth to be worth Rs 40 crore.
“How can such income fall into the non-creamy layer? She has admitted to being mentally ill and a person with multiple disabilities. However, she skipped medical examinations several times. How did she qualify for IAS? These are big questions,” the activist said.
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