Pooja Khedkar, an IAS probationer from the Maharashtra cadre, has found herself at the center of controversy, drawing attention from the Prime Minister?s Office (PMO) and the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA). Her actions and demands during her probation period have sparked a series of inquiries and investigations.
The controversy began when Pune District Collector Dr. Suhas Diwase reported to the General Administration Department regarding Khedkar's behavior and demands. Even before starting her official duties on June 3, Khedkar reportedly insisted on having a separate cabin, a government car, residential quarters, and a peon, none of which are entitlements for probationary officers. According to Diwase's report, she also removed a senior official?s nameplate at the Pune collector's office, claiming his ante-chamber as her office space.
Furthermore, Khedkar allegedly used a red beacon on her private Audi, a privilege not permitted during probation. These actions prompted Diwase to recommend against her continuation of training in Pune, leading to her abrupt transfer to Washim district in central Maharashtra.
Adding to the controversy, allegations have surfaced that Khedkar submitted fake disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates to qualify for the civil services exam. She appeared for the exam under the OBC and visually impaired categories, allegedly supported by a mental illness certificate as well. Despite being summoned for verification of her disability certificate at AIIMS Delhi in April 2022, she reportedly did not comply, citing a Covid infection.
Moreover, scrutiny intensified when it was revealed that Khedkar?s father, Dilip Khedkar, a retired Maharashtra government officer, declared assets worth ?40 crore while contesting the recent Lok Sabha election. This raised questions as Pooja Khedkar applied under the OBC category, which restricts eligibility to candidates below a certain income threshold.
In a viral clip from a mock interview, Khedkar faced questioning about declaring her father's income as zero, to which she responded by stating that they had separated finances. She clarified that her father?s income as a retired government servant should not impact her eligibility under the OBC category.
The unfolding saga surrounding Pooja Khedkar has not only brought her under public scrutiny but has also highlighted issues of entitlement, eligibility, and integrity within the civil services examination process. As investigations continue and reports are awaited from various authorities, the case of Pooja Khedkar serves as a cautionary tale in bureaucratic ethics and the responsibilities of public service aspirants.
The developments in this case are closely watched as they unfold, raising broader questions about transparency and accountability in India?s civil services recruitment and training processes.
