‘Not Authorised to Say Anything’: IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Speaks Out Amid Controversy | Video

New Delhi: Puja Khedkar, a probationary IAS officer, finds herself embroiled in controversy following allegations of misuse of power. The allegations include purported falsehoods about visual and mental disabilities as well as her OBC (Other Backward Classes) background. When approached by reporters seeking clarification on the matter, Khedkar responded, "I am not authorised to say anything. I will give my submissions to the committee. I will follow all the procedures.”

On the panel formed by the central government Puja Khedkar said, “I will answer everything to the committee. I will cooperate with the investigation.”

Watch: IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Speaks Out Amid Controversy

What are the Allegations Against Puja Khedkar?

• Fake Certificates: She is alleged to have submitted fake disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates to clear the civil services exam.
• Misuse of Authority: Puja Khedkar is accused of misusing her authority.
• Unauthorized Facilities: While posted as an assistant collector in Pune, she allegedly availed facilities not permitted for probationary officers.

• Unauthorized Use of Beacon: She is accused of using a red-blue beacon and a Maharashtra government board on her private Audi car.
• Unauthorized Occupation: Khedkar reportedly occupied the chamber of additional collector Ajay More without permission and removed office furniture without consent.
• Pressure from Father: Her father, a retired administrative officer who recently ran for the Lok Sabha from Ahmednagar, is alleged to have pressured the district collector's office to meet his daughter's demands.

• Questionable Appointment: RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar has claimed that Khedkar's appointment was questionable, arguing she did not fall under the OBC non-creamy layer category due to her father's assets worth ₹40 crore.

Centre Forms  Panel to Look Into Row

The Centre on Thursday formed a single-member panel to check the "candidature claims and other details" of controversial probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who has been accused of allegedly misusing disability and OBC quota to secure a position in the service.

An additional secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) will enquire into the matter and submit a report within two weeks.

"The central government has constituted a single-member committee, chaired by a senior officer of the rank of Additional Secretary to government of India to verify the candidature claims and other details of Ms. Puja Manorma Dilip Khedkar, a candidate of Civil Services