Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar recalled to academy, district training in Maharashtra put on hold

Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar has been relieved from the district training programme of the Maharashtra government amid an ongoing probe against her over several allegations.

The development came a week after she was transferred to Washim from Pune amid allegations of manipulation of disability and other backward class (OBC) certificates for getting into the civil services.

A letter from Nitin Gadre, Additional Chief Secretary (P) reads, “...LBSNAA, Mussoorie has decided to keep your District Training Program on hold and immediately recall you for further necessary action...”

Khedkar has been asked to report back to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration by July 23, a state government official said.

“You are hereby relieved from the district training programme of the state government of Maharashtra. You are instructed to join the academy at the earliest but not later than 23rd July 2024 under any circumstance,” reads a letter by Nitin Gadre.

The government has also formed a single-member panel to probe allegations against her.

On Tuesday, Puja Khedkar said that she would testify before the committee and added, “I think whatever decision the committee will take should be acceptable to all.”

Khedkar, 34, came into the limelight after reports about her alleged demands for a separate office and official car and the unauthorised use of a beacon in her private car emerged.

The Pune Police are conducting an inquiry into the authenticity of medical certificates submitted by her.

Meanwhile, officials said that Khedkar obtained a partial "locomotor disability" certificate from a hospital at Pimpri in Pune district in August 2022.

"She applied for disability certification about her left limb knee joint back in 2022. She visited here for medical examinations and was assessed by multiple departments," reported PTI quoting Dr Rajendra Wable, dean of the government-run Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital, Pimpri.

In a report submitted to the General Administration Department (GAD), Pune collector Suhas Diwse said that even before joining duty on June 3, Puja Khedkar repeatedly demanded that she be provided a separate cabin, car, and residential quarters.